As a local parish celebrates its centennial, it will also mark another long-standing tradition. St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church hosts its 40th Victoria Street Market Oct. 29.
According to Anne M. Martin's History of the Anglican Church in Prince George and Region, today's market, which has been a staple in the pre-Christmas bazaar schedule for the past four decades, began as a sale by the Women's Auxiliary in the 1920s.
"It continued on as a jumble sale in he 30s and evolved into a bazaar in the 40s. In the 50s and 60s the annual bazaar was held in the church basement," says the book, which was published this year in honour of the parish's 100th anniversary.
After the church council realized the small bazaars put on by the Women's Auxiliary could be a real money maker for the parish, those disparate events were rolled into one large fall market in 1972.
Once the pet project of the women's group, whose members were looking for a way to contribute to church life, the Victoria Street Market is now something taken on by the church's entire congregation.
"It's so much fun to be with everyone on that day," said one of the event's organizers, Judy Schinkel. "It's so warm and welcoming and everyone does what they can."
That community can-do spirit has led the church to believe theirs is the longest-running bazaar in Prince George that doesn't rent out its tables. Everything put out and sold at the Victoria Street Market is a product of the work of the congregation.
This includes all the baking, woodworking, making handicrafts and serving during the English Tea. "Every table represents someone different doing something," Schinkel said.
While they aren't straying from tradition and sticking to the usual this and that table, thrift shop, kids' toys, 5th Avenue boutique, hot dogs, pet snacks and Bridgehead coffee, this year's Victoria Street Market still carries an air of excitement.
"It's very special this year because of the 100th anniversary of Anglican worship, the 40th anniversary of the Victoria Street Market and 37th anniversary of the St. Michael's Quilters," said Schinkel.
The quilting group, which has been in existence since 1974 is once again donating a large piece to be raffled off during Saturday's market.
Dorrie Cain, who said she has been a member of the quilting group "forever," said the group has been selling raffle tickets since July and that the quilts normally sell for between $2,000 to $2,500.
The group has donated more than $31,000 to the church since 1988.
"It's just a group effort," Cain said about the group of quilters who put together the 20 squares, each with a floral design. The quilt takes six to eight months to complete, and the group, which meets every Thursday morning, is already working on next year's piece.
The proceeds from the quilt, as well as those from other products sold at the Victoria Street Market go back into the community through St. Michael and All Angels' various outreach programs.
This includes buying food for the church's lunch bag program, international relief programs and the minister's discretionary fund, Schinkel said.
The Victoria Street Market runs Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church at the corner of 5th Avenue and Victoria Street.
