To usher in the holiday season, many local groups are planning Christmas bazaars. Most feature a sale of crafts and holiday decor, as well as homemade food. All are free and open to the public.

A Christmas bazaar will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1035 Old River Road, Birdsboro (Robeson Township), on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Featured will be breakfast sandwiches, lunch, homemade soups and baked goods, white elephant items, a Chinese auction and craft vendors. For more information, call the church office at 610-582-3655.

Harmony United Methodist Church, 740 Harmony Road, Morgantown, will host a Christmas bazaar on Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Offered will be wreaths, decorations, hand-painted ornaments, crafts and gifts, baked goods and candy. The church is located on Route 10, north of Morgantown. Contact the church at 610-286-9823 for more information.

St. Peter United Church of Christ, 1920 Ridge Road (Route 23), Knauertown, will hold its annual Christmas bazaar on Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Offered for sale will be crafts, baked goods, vintage items and breakfast and lunch. Visit http://www.facebook.com/stpeterunitedchurch and choose "Events" for more information.

The Totally Committed Youth Ministry (TCYM) at MCC (Moving Communities to Christ) will hold a Christmas bazaar on Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at MCC's main campus, 4221 Main St., Elverson. Available for sale will be clothing, crafts, games, novelties, jewelry, trinkets, skin care products and beauty accessories. All proceeds will be used toward TCYM's 2022 mission trip. For more information, visit http://www.movingcommunitiestochrist.org/christmas-bazaar-2022 or http://www.facebook.com/TCYMatMCCChristmasBazaar.

Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue (LDAR) will present its annual holiday craft show at Freedom Village at Brandywine, 15 Freedom Blvd., Coatesville, on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the rescue, which provides foster homes for cats and dogs until they can be permanently adopted.

"It's not a traditional craft show where vendors come in. It is mostly crafts that are donated," said LDAR volunteer April Brade, one of the event organizers. "(The items are made) by LDAR friends or associates or people that hear about (the craft show)." Local crafters who would like to donate items for the show should email LuckyDawgAR@gmail.com.

Among the items for sale will be homemade dog biscuits, dog and cat toys and personalized pet ornaments; holiday decorations; jewelry; and LDAR swag, including sweatshirts. There will also be a silent auction table, a sale of homemade baked goods, refreshments and an opportunity to win gift items. Adoptable cats and kittens and perhaps a puppy will be on-site during the craft show.

LDAR is a nonprofit, no-kill, all-volunteer organization. LDAR's most recent rescue is Harley Rose and her puppy, Hootie. Harley has had many litters of puppies and suffered from years of neglect. Readers can follow Harley and Hootie's story by visiting http://www.facebook.com/LuckyDawgAnimalRescue and searching for "Harley Rose" or "Hootie."