Elaborately decorated pumpkins, handmade crafts, holiday gifts, sweet treats and more lined the tables and shelves at the Escalon United Methodist Church during the 29th Annual Holiday Bazaar.

The event was hosted on Saturday, Oct. 31 and along with the holiday bazaar, there was a soup and pie luncheon, available to eat in or take to go; the drawing for the handmade quilt; and the sale of the church’s famous ready-to-bake pies in assorted varieties.

Homemade jams and jellies offered delectable flavors including boysenberry, orange marmalade and jalapeno, and for those looking forward to the holiday season, there was even a Christmas Jam. From savory food for the luncheon to fresh pumpkin pie, the flavors of the season were front and center, and folks from Escalon and the surrounding communities came out to enjoy shopping the bazaar for the opportunity to pick up some very unique holiday decor.

Organizers reported that the winner of the quilt drawing was Dawna Gudka, from Keenesburg, Colorado. She was one of six people who attended the event from that area; described as regular visitors to the annual bazaar, traditionally helping out at the church fundraiser. This time, Gudka was lucky enough to go home with the quilt and matching pillowcases.

The holiday bazaar actually fell on Halloween this year, but the mid-afternoon end time allowed for families to attend the event for shopping and dining, and still get home in plenty of time to get ready for trick-or-treating.

Editor Marg Jackson contributed to this report.