Fall Fair 2022
Our Fall Fair is normally scheduled for early October. However, in recent years, we've had to cancel it due to COVID.
In the interest of both giving ourselves time to plan with safety in mind AND giving the Ottawa population time to ride out any Back To School COVID spikes, we're opting to host our 2022 Fall Fair a month later than usual.
We're looking forward to inviting everyone to enjoy a day of hunting for one-of-a-kind finds at FirstU but, if we can't host our one-day-only Big Event, you can still look forward to our Book and Puzzle Sale and our Spring for Something Special online silent auction, where you'll be able to find cozy reads, challenging games, and beautiful treasures at our smaller fundraising events.
In the interest of both giving ourselves time to plan with safety in mind AND giving the Ottawa population time to ride out any Back To School COVID spikes, we're opting to host our 2022 Fall Fair a month later than usual.
We're looking forward to inviting everyone to enjoy a day of hunting for one-of-a-kind finds at FirstU but, if we can't host our one-day-only Big Event, you can still look forward to our Book and Puzzle Sale and our Spring for Something Special online silent auction, where you'll be able to find cozy reads, challenging games, and beautiful treasures at our smaller fundraising events.
WHERE IS THE FALL FAIR?
30 Cleary Avenue, off Richmond Rd.:
1 km west of Westboro Village,
1 km east of Woodroffe Ave.
Driving?
Fall Fair is taking over the FirstU parking lot this year, but:
Free parking is readily available on nearby streets.
Bussing? The area is served by the Number 11 Bus with stops along Richmond Rd. at Cleary Ave. when going westbound and Redwood Avenue going eastbound.
The Congregation has an automatic external defibrillator (AED) machine, which is located on the upper level of the building, to the left of the door leading into the Congregation's offices. The offices are to the left when facing the large bank of windows in the main worship space.
1 km west of Westboro Village,
1 km east of Woodroffe Ave.
Driving?
Fall Fair is taking over the FirstU parking lot this year, but:
Free parking is readily available on nearby streets.
Bussing? The area is served by the Number 11 Bus with stops along Richmond Rd. at Cleary Ave. when going westbound and Redwood Avenue going eastbound.
The Congregation has an automatic external defibrillator (AED) machine, which is located on the upper level of the building, to the left of the door leading into the Congregation's offices. The offices are to the left when facing the large bank of windows in the main worship space.
HISTORY OF THE FALL FAIR
The annual Fall Fair at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa started as a modest endeavour about 1980, initially called the Holly and Lace Bazaar. Over the years it has grown to the extent that it now takes almost 400 volunteers to pull it off!
The annual Fall Fair at the First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa started as a modest endeavour about 1980, initially called the Holly and Lace Bazaar. Over the years it has grown to the extent that it now takes almost 400 volunteers to pull it off!
The Fair is a study in Unitarian Universalist principles in action: volunteers having fun getting to know each other, caring for each other, overcoming problems more or less gracefully, laughing, and working together to a common cause – to raise money for the church.
The proceeds constitute the second largest fund raising effort of the church, contributing significantly to the operating budget and programs to share our understanding of how universal compassion, tolerance and protection of other species can change lives for the better. These include the many social justice initiatives that are so close to the hearts of the congregation –donations to the food bank, the Stephen Lewis Foundation, or sponsoring refugee families.
The Fall Fair is now such a popular annual event that on the morning of the Fair, there is usually already a long line-up before doors open at 9:30am.
However, with COVID restrictions, the numbers will be limited at any one time.
Smooth and careful organizing of this event by dedicated volunteers is key to its success. Volunteers mobilize beginning the week before the Saturday fair. While the 12,000 square foot church is usually transformed into a market, this year the Fair will be somewhat reduced and held totally outside. However, you name it – we sell it! (Well, almost.) Everything possible is re-used, re-purposed, or recycled. Our sales categories include:
Jewelry
Gift Items and Collectibles
Electronics
Music
Books
Toys/Games/Puzzles
Baked Goods and Preserves
Donations, in the above categories, are gratefully received from community businesses, congregants, their friends and family, and anyone looking to move good, but no-longer wanted, treasures. And if they aren’t sold at the Fair, a committed team of volunteers ensure that most of the remaining goods go to community organizations that serve the needy.
The proceeds constitute the second largest fund raising effort of the church, contributing significantly to the operating budget and programs to share our understanding of how universal compassion, tolerance and protection of other species can change lives for the better. These include the many social justice initiatives that are so close to the hearts of the congregation –donations to the food bank, the Stephen Lewis Foundation, or sponsoring refugee families.
The Fall Fair is now such a popular annual event that on the morning of the Fair, there is usually already a long line-up before doors open at 9:30am.
However, with COVID restrictions, the numbers will be limited at any one time.
Smooth and careful organizing of this event by dedicated volunteers is key to its success. Volunteers mobilize beginning the week before the Saturday fair. While the 12,000 square foot church is usually transformed into a market, this year the Fair will be somewhat reduced and held totally outside. However, you name it – we sell it! (Well, almost.) Everything possible is re-used, re-purposed, or recycled. Our sales categories include:
Jewelry
Gift Items and Collectibles
Electronics
Music
Books
Toys/Games/Puzzles
Baked Goods and Preserves
Donations, in the above categories, are gratefully received from community businesses, congregants, their friends and family, and anyone looking to move good, but no-longer wanted, treasures. And if they aren’t sold at the Fair, a committed team of volunteers ensure that most of the remaining goods go to community organizations that serve the needy.
