NORTHUMBERLAND—The Wicomico Parish Episcopal Church annual Market Day, celebrating community, charity and fun, will be held from 8 a.m.-noon October 7 on the church grounds, 5191 Jessie Ball duPont Memorial Highway, Wicomico Church.
Although this is only the parish’s 17th Market Day anniversary, the tradition dates back centuries, reported publicity co-chairman Ellen Sagan.
After many years of organizing and holding Christmas bazaars, the parish’s Episcopalian women felt the need to expand community outreach. Recalling “old days” when neighbors celebrated a bountiful harvest, shared blessings and helped each other, the group felt returning to a traditional “Market Day” would accomplish this goal, said Sagan. Marshall Waterman, the first Market Day chairman, said that over the years the event has changed, and adapted as needed, even during the COVID-19 crisis, but the principle of celebrating blessings and helping friends continues.
Planning for the event starts in the spring and ends with almost the entire congregation contributing time and talents for the benefit of others.
Visitors will find freshly baked goods, homemade gourmet foods, toys, tools, boat equipment, lawn items, jewelry, furniture and decorative accessories. Always a crowd pleaser, a silent auction often includes art, vacation rentals, boats, trailers and other high value items, said Sagan. Garner’s Produce will sell locally-grown and sourced fruits and vegetables.
A few of the non-profit groups supported by the Wicomico Parish Episcopal Church are local fire and rescue units, Lancaster/Northumberland Interfaith Service Council, The Link, The Haven Shelter & Services, Inc., The Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic, Meals on Wheels, Gleamers and Blenders, Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck and Northumberland Family YMCA.
