Christmas in the Village craft fair draws a crowd to Harrowsmith

Craig Bakay | Nov 21, 2018

One of the more ambitious Christmas craft/bake sales in Frontenac County happens every year at the Free Methodist Church in Harrowsmith, Christmas in the Village.

And it doesn’t happen just at the last minute.

“We start planning in May — sending out invitations to vendors, cake and bake shop decorating, placing ads online — we have a great group of volunteers,” said one of the organizers B J Calver. “The crunch comes in the end of October.”

Last year, they had 45 vendors and about 450 customers through the doors.

“This year, we have 46 vendors and a waiting list,” Calver said. “We had people inquiring about vendor spaces two days ago but you don’t want it to be overcrowded.”

In addition to the craft and bake tables, there’s a chili cafe and door prizes provided by the vendors every half hour.

“The proceeds all go to community assistance,” she said. “We partner with the South Frontenac Community Care Program, which is funded by the Township, which helps families and individuals in need from things like fires and sickness.

“It also pays for about 25 food hampers. We work with the Salvation Army and Salvation Army to get names.”