Asbury United Methodist Church Bringing Back Yankee Peddler Craft Fair This Weekend

By Brian M. Johnson, The Bristol Press

November 16, 2021

Asbury United Methodist Church is bringing back its annual Yankee Peddler Craft Fair Nov. 19 and 20, featuring numerous local crafters as vendors.

Connie Schultz, who is co-coordinating the fair with Pat Sallstrom, said she is eager to bring back the church’s annual event, which has been offered for more than 100 years.

“We didn’t have it last year because of covid, but we’re really excited to offer it again this year,” Schultz said. “We have tickets to this event in our archives going back to 1920.”

This year, the Yankee Peddler Craft Fair will be offered Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church at 90 Church Ave. in Forestville.

Schultz said it will feature 20 craft vendors offering numerous hand-made and sewn items. There will also be vendors selling jewelry and “cemetery boxes” for people to leave as decorations and memorials on gravesites. These, Schultz said, have been “extremely popular” in past years.

“I think that people come back year after year because they appreciate hand-made items and like to give them as gifts,” she said. “The items are all at very reasonable prices.”

Two local food trucks will be at the Craft Fair this year. Dope Fried Foods will be there both days and Crepe Royale will be at the fair Saturday, offering breakfast crepes in the morning and sweet crepes later in the day.

The Yankee Peddler Craft Fair will also have a silent auction Friday night and Saturday, with themed gift baskets featuring items donated by church members and the community.

“Proceeds will go toward the church and its ministries,” Schultz said. “It will support the things we donate to in Bristol and around the world.”

Schultz encouraged people to come out and have fun at the Craft Fair.

“There is a wonderful sense of camaraderie that happens with the church members,” she said. “Everybody is friendly with each other and has a fun time.”

Brian M. Johnson can be reached at 860-973-1806 or bjohnson@bristolpress.com.