CONCORD ó The Olde Countrie Faire and Auction will be held from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. next Saturday, Sept. 12 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 525 Lake Concord Rd, Concord.
Held every other year, the Olde Countrie Faire is an important tradition at All Saints’. The fair’s goal is to reach out to the people in the area.
Items are donated by members of the community, and church members sort through and then sell them at affordable prices.
The proceeds are returned to the community through various local organizations. The church’s international missions benefit as well.
“Everyone wins,” says Tom Jones, senior warden of the church. “Those who clean out their closets, those who find great bargains and the agencies we are able to support.”
Groups supported by the funds raised include:
– Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels
– Community Free Clinic
– Young Life
– CVAN Domestic Violence Program
– Local Cub/Boy Scouts
– Episcopal Relief and Development
– Cabarrus Habitat for Humanity
– Hospice of Cabarrus County
– Emergency funds for local area
– Cooperative Christian Ministry
– Episcopal Diocese of N.C. Emergency needs
– Bible Teaching Associations for high schools
The Olde Countrie Faire began in Concord more than four decades ago.
The first one was held in 1965 in the front yard of Dr. and Mrs. George Liles. It featured bagpipers, pony rides, food, fresh baked goods, clothing, books, music, games for children, live auction, car smash and much more.
“It brought people together to do something good for each other through Christian fellowship helping to raise monies for those in need,” Jones says.
This tradition that began so humbly in the 1960s continues today with the same vision.
This year’s fair will include a huge flea market, live auction, silent auction, clothing, old books, jewelry, food, live music, kids games, BBQ, luncheon, baked good, tapes/CDs, crafts, cash raffle, bounce house for kids, and lighting and home furnishings donated by Carolina Rustica.
“Our church works hard six months to pull this off, and we raise tens of thousands of dollars,” Jones says.”It is a good thing.”