Oakland Fall Fest returns
Published 10:06 pm Tuesday, October 25, 2016
- Visitors at a previous Oakland Christian United Church of Christ fall festival shop for gifts. Vendors will sell sea glass, jewelry, homemade candy and more at this year’s event, set for Nov. 5.
Now in its 22nd year, Oakland Christian United Church of Christ’s Fall Fest will return on Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fest co-chair Denise Spady promises the fest will have something for everybody.
The free event was originally started by the wife of the church’s former pastor, Mark Burns. She started the event to “raise money for community needs and as a way to say ‘thank you,’” Spady said.
For the children, there will be face painting and games on-site. Additionally, for the first time ever, there will be a puppet show by Hiz Handz Puppet Ministries.
The show, presenting an underlying Christian theme, will be about a young girl whose mother is stricken with cancer and eventually dies and her quest to find her uncle.
Hiz Handz, which supports the less fortunate, is nationally recognized and does not charge for performing. However, the company does welcome donations.
Inside the church’s fellowship hall, there will be several vendors selling sea glass, jewelry, homemade hard candy, baked goods, meats, cheeses and desserts. Spady said Suffolk Public Library will also be in attendance.
Oakland’s famous Brunswick stew, which will be cooked in an 80-gallon pot, will be available as well.
Spady said people can place orders in advance for select items, which will be available for pick-up the day of the festival.
There will also be a silent auction and a bake sale.
Last year, the fest brought in between $10,000 and $15,000, which was donated right back into the community.
In years past, the church has benefited the American Red Cross, Chuckatuck Fire Department, Coalition Against Poverty and a host of other organizations.