Historic venue, historic holiday event

It’s time once again for the annual Grace Episcopal Church Holiday Bazaar, which will take place Nov. 7 and 8. [Submitted photo]

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Posted October 21, 2025 | By Susan Smiley-Height, [email protected]

It’s time once again for the annual Holiday Bazaar hosted by the historic Grace Episcopal Church in downtown Ocala.

Grace Episcopal has roots in Ocala that extend back to six families worshiping together in 1849, only four years after Florida became a state. The church building was originally a few blocks away from the current location. In 1904, a skilled crew of five carpenters carefully disassembled the entire building, timber by timber, and used horse-drawn wagons to transport it to be reassembled on a new property on East Broadway, where it still stands today, according to the church website.

And the annual Holiday Bazaar has its own signature history, having gotten started nearly 80 years ago.

“In the 1940’s several Grace Episcopal Church members, or ‘Gracers’ formed a ladies guild. They would gather often and found common interests in creating handcrafted items and soon became known as the ‘Glitter Girls,’ with one remaining Glitter Girl still alive,” noted current members via an email exchange.

“With many handcrafted holiday items created, the Holiday Bazaar began, with items sold to benefit local outreach ministries. Soon, the felt sequined stockings and tree skirts became sought after items by generations of Ocalans. Lifelong Grace member Jaye Baillie is just one of the many locals who treasure their handmade Glitter Girl stockings. This year, the last surviving Glitter Girl donated a pre-loved, hand-beaded tree skirt, which will be a featured item in the 2025 Holiday Bazaar’s silent auction,” the members noted.

This year’s event, the 78^th annual, will begin with a Ladies Night Out from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 7, with wine and cheese and a first chance to shop, all for a $5 donation. The Holiday Bazaar continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 8, with free admission.

Items for sale will include handmade holiday items such as ornaments, wreaths and more; pre-loved holiday decor and jewelry; a bakery/coffee shop; and delicious frozen meals to-go (single serve and family size).

More than 15 raffle items will be featured, including a Painting Party for four by Julie Shealy of Studio B, a Betty Cake, $100 gift certificate to La Cuisine, an annual subscription of fresh flower bouquets, themed baskets and much more, at $20 for six chances or $5 per chance.

New this year will be sales of a “Let’s Say Grace” cookbook of recipes submitted by church members.

“The cookbook is a compilation of family recipes passed down from generations, from family celebrations and more.  Several recipes in the book include a story of how the recipe evolved.  There also is an ‘in memoriam’ page and three recipes of Grace matriarch Ann ‘Miss Ann’ Anderson, who passed away this year. There’s a section of recipes that we know children will love, and drawings from children throughout, as well as recipes to create crafts for children to play with, such as slime and play dough,” the email message shared. The price of the cookbook is $25.

Proceeds from cookbook sales as well as the entire Holiday Bazaar itself will benefit Interfaith Emergency Services and the Ocala Farm Ministry.

The Holiday Bazaar will take place in the Parish Hall, located next to the church, at 505 SE Broadway St., Ocala.

To learn more, go to graceocala.org or call (352) 622-7881.