Walking into the annual holiday bazaar at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marietta, you never know what you're going to find. It could be a one-of-a-kind handcrafted gift, a piece of holiday decor or even a delicious take-home dinner. The bazaar will be held in the fellowship hall of the church, 1290 River Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6.

"We have three main categories for our bazaar," said Mary Ann Eshleman, bazaar organizer. "We have food, crafts and a white elephant area."

This year, the food will be available to go only. "We'll have cold soups and barbecue that people can take home to heat up," Eshleman explained. "We'll be serving beef vegetable soup, chicken corn (soup) and ham and bean soup, plus pork and hamburger barbecue as well as baked goods, candy and snacks. People love the snacks and baked goods table. They come in, and they go right to that."

The bazaar will also feature a wide variety of crafts. "It's really like a mini craft show," Eshleman noted. "We've got holiday-themed Christmas items, fall items, decor that can be out year-round. We have wreaths and arrangements. There's a whole section of jewelry, including beaded earrings, necklaces and bracelets."

A church member who crochets will offer handmade hats, scarves and stuffed animals, and members of the congregation will feature their wood creations, including pallet wood furniture, birdhouses, wall sconces and accent tables.

The white elephant section of the bazaar will feature bargain-priced items, including books and jigsaw puzzles. "It's pretty much a little bit of anything at really good prices," Eshleman stated.

She noted that a committee of church members gathers year-round to create items for the bazaar, which has been held annually for many years. Half of the proceeds will go toward the church's elevator fund, while the other half will be split between Donegal Power Packs and the East Donegal/Conoy Area Christian Food Bank.

"The bazaar is a great activity for the church," Eshleman said. "It provides opportunities for fellowship throughout the year as we prepare for it. For the people who come to it, you can buy gifts for yourself or for others for Christmas, and the food table is always a good place to buy a sweet. Then you can take home either soup or barbecue for dinner."

Masks and social distancing are encouraged at the bazaar. For more information on the event, call the church at 717-426-1884.