Think borscht, farmer sausage, perogies, fair trade coffee and handmade crafts from Ten Thousand Villages. It's time for the 30th annual Mennonite Fall Fair at the Civic Centre Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The fair allows visitors to relive the annual favourites while enjoying a few new items like the silent auction taking place in the morning, said Wendy Herring, an original founder of the fair and administrative officer.
Thousands of people come to the fair each year, Herring said. The event is a fundraiser for relief projects in developing countries, and locally will support campers going to Ness Lake Bible Camp and to the New Life Centre and Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship.
"The focus is to provide practical gifts at a reasonable price," said Herring. "People really enjoy the full meal lunch we serve all day."
Popular handmade items available include things like sock monkeys in three sizes, tea towels, wallets, hand puppets, toddler tutus, crayon rolls, bibs, quilts, toques and greeting cards for all occasions.
"My sister, Donna Mercer, and I get together for a week in the summer and make items for the fair," said Herring. "I say every stitch represents one grain of rice in the belly of someone in need. It's a special time for us as Donna comes up from Surrey."
People look forward to the event each year, said Herring.
"This year a family who is downsizing their belongings has donated small household antiques that will be placed for silent auction. We all have so much and the work we do helps so many and I know everyone who volunteers for the fair feels the same way -- it's such a worthy cause."
Other items include 2,200 pounds of apples direct from the Okanagan and new and used clothing.
Last year the fair, which is sponsored by the Westwood Mennonite Brethren Church, raised $22,000 that went for world wide relief, $3,000 remained in Prince George and $11,000 in sales of Ten Thousand Villages products went back to that charitable organization.
