An email query to houses of faith in Franklin County and the North Quabbin region suggests that few have made a decision about whether to hold their usual holiday bazaar, given the uncertainties regarding the coronavirus pandemic and Gov. Charlie Baker’s restrictions on how to hold public events.
One similar event, the Little Drummer Craft Fair usually held in November at Franklin County Technical School, has already announced its cancellation, saying, “It is with sadness that we let you know that we have made the hard decision to cancel this year’s Little Drummer Craft Fair in November of 2020.
“There is great uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and the upcoming school year, and where we will be with complicated social distancing that would likely affect students’ ability to participate and limit the numbers of people allowed in the building at any time. By making the decision now, we are able to give our wonderful artists, craftspeople and vendors as much notice as possible.”
Replies to the Religion email of The Recorder so far include only one outright cancellation of a holiday bazaar, this one by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Greenfield.
In other replies, the Rev. Heather Blais, rector at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew, said, “We have not decided anything yet, but I’d love to hear what others are exploring.”
Hetty Startup, of Ashfield Congregational Church, UCC, said: “I can report that Ashfield’s Fall Festival, a major source of income for both of the town’s two churches, is canceled this year. Not sure about the holiday bazaars in December, also budgeted as earned income.”
Other replies suggest that churches are still grappling with whether to hold fall events.
The Rev. Dr. Megan Leary, of Central Congregational Church of Orange said: “At Central Congregational in Orange, we have not yet decided about our Fall Fair as we are currently going month by month in regards to worship and other church events. I will keep you posted as we go forward.”
The Rev. Jason Beamon, lead pastor of Greenfield Alliance Church, replied: “We haven’t discussed what’s going to happen with the Trunk-or-Treat yet, but based on the way things are trending, I’m already considering the reality that we will need to cancel it.”
In Northfield, the Trinitarian Congregational Church announced in its newsletter, “At this time, uncertainty about the Hollyberry Fair happening is as high as the very top of the church steeple. No decision has been made and won’t be until later this summer after several considerations to ensure the safety of everyone involved have been explored thoroughly.”
Add your thoughts and updates to this continuing story by emailing religion@recorder.com or calling 413-772-0261, ext. 265.