HISTORY OF 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 dozens of volunteers to pull 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.
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.