During her jam-packed day of touring the renowned holiday houses of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Jane Glavac was pleasantly surprised to come across the Festive Fare at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Saturday.

Glavac browsed the abundant selection of items, including jams and jellies, fresh-baked goods, boxes of Christmas cookies, turkey and beef pies, holiday decorations and gifts.

The fair, which ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Dec. 7, also featured a silent auction with an original painting and a handmade blanket.

The packs of holiday earrings drew her in, and the peach and pepper jelly quickly joined her purchases.

“It’s going to be good with cheese and crackers and a glass of wine,” she said.

She appreciates how the town seems to offer fun outings at every turn, said Glavac, who was visiting the market for the first time.

“This is just so much fun, and the weather’s perfect,” she said. “We are so lucky to have these things.”

The fair offered something for everyone, from fresh greens and homemade meat pies to an array of Christmas decorations, said Barbara Khan, the bake table’s hostess.

The bake table was filled with treats like chocolate cake, date squares, cookies and other desserts — which Khan said are perfect for holiday tables or gifting.

Visitors enjoyed freshly baked scones with homemade jam, paired with tea or coffee, offered in exchange for a goodwill donation, Khan said.

All proceeds from the fair support St. Andrew’s and its initiatives.

“Everything from the music program to our organizations we assist by giving monetary assistance to. It either goes into the church, which in turn goes into the rest of the societies of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” she said.

“Most people are quite generous because they understand where it’s going. Not to mention — it’s all very tasty,” she said.

Not even a global pandemic could pause St. Andrew’s tradition, which has continued for over two decades, she said.

During COVID, they adapted by hosting a socially distanced drive-by cookie sale.

As a member of the church for seven years who’s been doing the fair for two, Khan said she was not only happy to help bake for the sale, but she was also happy to see some familiar faces.

“We have had a lot of repeat people. Neighbours coming in. People that you may not have seen for a while,” she said.

“The community response has been amazing. The congregation has outdone themselves with this event. The baking, everything, it is just good. I’m so glad to be part of it,” said Rosemary Vysohlid, administrator at St. Andrew’s.

“It puts me in the Christmas spirit.”

Bernie Skelding, the church’s minister, said its community is lively and full of teamwork, with members joining forces alongside friends and neighbours from outside the congregation.

The fair is a great way to bring everyone together and strengthen these connections, he said.

“I think the turnout has been wonderful,” he said. “They just love the joy, enthusiasm, and the vibrancy here.”

If you want to keep the festive spirit going at St. Andrew’s, on Dec. 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., they will host a Christmas celebration with carols, choir performances, and a reading of the nativity story, plus a trumpet performance by Nathan Pol.

The sanctuary doors open at 6:30 p.m. and a freewill offering will be collected as the cost of admission.