When the organizers of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church bazaar say they have something for everyone, they're not kidding.

"If you enjoy going to craft fairs, we have something for you. If you have a sweet tooth, we have something for you," said organizer Mary Ann Eshleman. "If you like yard sales, we have something for you. If you don't feel like cooking dinner, we have something for you. You can pick up some new decorations for your home, buy Christmas gifts, eat your lunch here and take home dinner and dessert and feel good because your money is going to a good cause."

The bazaar will be held at the church, 1290 River Road, Marietta, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2.

The event will feature food, crafts and white elephant items for sale.

"Handcrafted items are made by a small group of dedicated church members who get together monthly to create seasonal and decorative items, in addition to some members who make things at home," Eshleman said. "Some new things that we have this year include: wooden items - cats, snowmen, reversible pumpkin stack and snowman, cardinals, penguins, pillar candles and tree-shaped candle holders." Other handmade items will include wreaths, floral arrangements, snowman tea light holders and Christmas ornaments, as well as crocheted items such as dish cloths, fun creature hats, amigurumi animals, card baskets and catnip mice. Beaded jewelry, including earrings, bracelets and necklaces, will be for sale, along with paper items such as gift bags, gift tags, memo pads, journals and gift card holders.

"We often try to use recycled materials in our crafts, including wood from pallets, corks, buttons, old Christmas cards, glass yogurt containers and globes from our old candelabras," Eshleman said.

A white elephant area will feature gently used and reasonably priced books, jigsaw puzzles, seasonal decorations and other treasures. 

Food for sale will include homemade baked goods such as breads, cookies and cupcakes; candy; and sweet and salty snacks. Church members will also create cute candy treats such as Hershey bar snowmen and penguins, owls made from caramel creams and miniature chocolate candies, and Tootsie Pop pumpkins and flowers.

"We will sell a variety of soups, including vegetable beef, chicken corn and ham and bean, sold cold by the quart, and hamburger and pork barbecue by the pint," Eshleman shared. "For the first time since 2019, we will have a dining area with a menu of hot dog and meatball sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, chips and drinks."

Proceeds from the bazaar will be split between the church's elevator fund and its outreach ministries of the East Donegal/Conoy Area Christian Food Bank and Tools 4 School.

Eshleman invites everyone to come to the bazaar to get a jump on holiday shopping and pick up some new-to-you items. She emphasized the event relies on a team of volunteers.

"Our bazaar is a great group effort," she said. "Our entire congregation helps in one way or another - making crafts and food for sale, donating items for the white elephant table, helping to set up our displays and work during our bazaar. It's a lot of work, but it's also great fellowship with our friends and neighbors in the community."

For more information, visit http://www.zionmarietta.org.