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Church plans 'Autumn Market Day' for Sept. 25

Date: 9/20/2010

Sept. 20, 2010

By Chris Maza

Reminder Assistant Editor

WILBRAHAM -- Hundreds of people drive by it every day on Main Street, but Joyce Pierangelo thinks that people in town haven't really gotten to know the Wilbraham United Church.

That's why she, along with other church members, decided to host the church's first Autumn Market Day on Sept. 25.

"The reason for it is to get people to the church and for the church to have a more visible presence in the community," Pierangelo said. "People see it and it's just a big, white church. We want to be an active member of the community."

The church was one of the original organizers of the Wilbraham Peach Festival and with that event now a thing of the past, there was even more reason to launch a new community event, which will run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The resounding success of getting 1,000 people to its Holly Fair last year also fueled the momentum for this event, according to Pierangelo.

"This is a first-time event, but the plan is to make it an annual event," Pierangelo said. "If we get all of the permitting and paperwork done on time, next year's festival will be in June. This year, we weren't able to do that, so it is being held in September."

The festival will play host to several events throughout the day.

An antique and collectibles fair will be in the church's back parking lot, with Kimball Estates appraisers on site from 10 a.m. to noon. Patrons may have one item appraised for $3 or up to five items appraised for $10. Fancy That Antiques will also be on hand, buying gold and other precious items.

A community tag sale will take place on the church's front lawn. While members of the congregation will have tables, anyone from outside the church interested in participating in the tag sale may do so for a fee of $25. Those interested in a table can call 596-2511 ext. 100 or download an application at www.wilbraham-unitedchurch.org.

"We're making it as painless as possible for people to be involved with the tag sale," Pierangelo said. "We'll help you set up and unload your car for you and at the end of the day if you have anything left over, we'll take it as a donation and give you a tax receipt."

At 10 a.m., the children's area and a farmer's market, hosted by Green Acres Market, will open. Also, the Massachusetts 4-H youth development program will bring animals, such as llamas, sheep and chickens and host a craft exhibition where children can stuff scarecrows and paint pumpkins.

Johnson's is catering the entire day with a continental breakfast in the morning and a barbeque throughout the day.

There is no on-site parking for the event, but local parking is available at several locations, including the Masonic Lodge on Woodland Dell Road, the public lot at the center of town and at Crane Park. Wilbraham and Monson Academy has also offered their lot on Mountain Road for the event. There is an elderly drop-off area in front of the church and parking attendants will be available to direct people to available parking.



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