"This is one of our favorite days of the year," said church member Audrey Buckner, describing the annual Chiques United Methodist Church (UMC) All Church Bazaar. "We love the food, the fellowship and the bargains." The event will be held at the church, 1215 E. Main St., Mount Joy, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12.

This is the 50th year for the bazaar, and the milestone will be marked in several ways. Shoppers will be eligible to win a door prize, said bazaar committee member Georgia Myers, and the group will make 500 homemade apple dumplings for the bazaar. "People love our apple dumplings," she said, noting that church members will spend several days before the bazaar making the treats.

The bazaar will feature a white elephant sale, with homemade crafts, Christmas tree ornaments, knitted items, pictures and more. "We like to call these our 'attic treasures,'" Buckner said.

Food will be served as well, including pork, turkey and beef barbecue, hot dogs and a variety of soup. "We'll have chicken corn soup and vegetable soup as well as some others," Myers said. "We usually get a good variety." Baked goods will also be available for purchase.

"This year, you can eat here again," Myers said, noting that on-site dining was paused during the height of the pandemic. "The bazaar starts at 9 a.m., but it's never too early for lunch."

Although the bazaar is organized by the Women in Mission at Chiques UMC, it's a team effort involving many members of the church, Myers emphasized. Proceeds from the event will benefit local organizations, including Water Street Mission and Samaritan's Purse, as well as international missions.

Leftover items that are not sold at the bazaar are picked up by GreenDrop and donated to Purple Heart, continuing the church's mission of giving back, Myers said.

She encourages anyone to come shopping on Nov. 12, adding, "There is something for everyone, and we don't have high prices."

For more information on the bazaar, call the church at 717-653-5175.