The holiday season is approaching quickly, and many community members are excited participate in the Lancaster County tradition of holiday bazaar shopping. Ironville United Methodist Church (UMC), 4020 Holly Drive, Columbia, is gearing up for its annual Christmas Bazaar, which it will host from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

Members of the Willing Hearts, a community outreach committee at Ironville UMC, and congregational members of both Ironville UMC and Newtown UMC have been working hard since February to craft crocheted items, wooden snowmen, gift card boxes, assorted tree ornaments, and other interesting holiday craft that will be available to purchase at the upcoming bazaar. 

In addition to crafts, this year's event will feature more than 15 vendors. Each vendor will showcase a variety of unique items such as antiques, knitted clothing, tree ornaments, handmade aprons, hand-painted ornaments, jewelry, toys, crafts, and dream catchers. 

The Christmas Bazaar will incorporate a silent auction to feature items such as a set of china, an original oil painting, a Christmas wreath, a framed Christmas song sheet, a picnic basket, and various other items that guests may bid on.

The church will highlight a collection of unique goods and traditional holiday items in a room reserved for a white elephant gift exchange. All available items have been donated by members of Ironville UMC and Newtown UMC. A separate room in Ironville UMC will contain children's crafts and toys available to purchase.

A variety of refreshments will be available to purchase during the event, including hot dogs, beef barbecue sandwiches, chicken corn soup, homemade apple dumplings, cakes, pies, and other baked goods. Hot and cold beverages will also be available to purchase.

Ironville UMC pastor Jeff Engroff invites community members to shop, enjoy homemade food and meet members of both Ironville UMC and Newtown UMC as they shop at the Christmas Bazaar. Many congregation members have participated in the annual tradition for more than four decades, and the bazaar features new vendors every year.

Proceeds from the Christmas Bazaar will benefit Ironville UMC's capital improvement fund. The church hosts weekly worship services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays, and each service is livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel, @IronvilleUMC.

For more information, call the church office at 717-684-8072 or visit https://ironvilleumc.org.