ATHOL – With the holidays just a month away, a popular Christmas event will be taking place this weekend.
Getting an early jump on the season, the annual Millers Ladies Christmas Fair will take place this Saturday, Nov. 4, in the clubhouse at the Miller’s Woods/River Bend housing development, located at 739 Daniel Shays Highway/Route 202 in Athol. The event runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
According to Dorena Stewart St. Onge, co-chairwoman for the event, this is the fair’s eighth year.
“It’s hard-working, dedicated ladies that put this together,” she said. “It takes a lot of work. We get a little better every year – a little bigger and a little better every year. At one point we had vendors, but we don’t do that anymore; we do it all ourselves.”
The one exception to that rule is the snack bar run by South Athol United Methodist Church Ladies, which according to Stewart St. Onge, will sell hot dogs, chili, corn chowder, sandwich rolls and more.
A total of 23 themed baskets will be available for sale, including ones for infants and children and others for baking, gardening, games, vehicle care and the holidays. Also available will be a scratch ticket tree containing over $200 worth of scratch tickets “and that’s always very popular,” said Stewart St. Onge. The tree will be awarded to the winner of a raffle.
Other offerings for attendees include a Chinese auction that includes 45 items and high roller and gift certificate raffles. There will also be a bake table with pies, breads, cookies, fudge and cupcakes.
“A new thing this year is we have a recipe box with all of recipes in it that we’re going to raffle off,” she said.
There will also be a craft table featuring novelty items such as gnomes, Christmas ornaments, hats, gloves and mittens.
The highlight of the event is a raffle for a handmade quilt, designed, cut and pieced together by Stewart St. Onge, Jane Mousse, Maryanne Linton, and Helene Mello. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.
Stewart St. Onge said the event has raised over $40,000 for local non-profits over the years. The recipient of the funds raised at the Christmas Fair changes from year to year, she said. Past recipients include Athol Animal Control, Orange Animal Control, the public libraries in Athol and Orange, YMCA/Camp Wiyaka, and the Chuck Stone Little League. Funds have also been contributed to help the people of Ukraine. The organization receiving this year’s funds won’t be decided until after the event.
In addition to Stewart St. Onge, chairwomen of the event include Helen Mello, Maryann Linton, and Sharon Smith.
Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.