The First Presbyterian Church of Mabank, 112 W Mt Vernon St., will hold its annual Fall Festival commemorating both the Presbyterian Women’s turn of the century money raising activity and recreating a side of Mabank’s “Trade Days”. In 1903, the church did not have enough money to pay for the last load of cypress wood to finish the new church building. The ladies of the church, called the “Busy Bees”, sprang into action and sold chickens, eggs, baked goods, jams, and whatever they could to raise the money.
In 1989 this Election Day event began as a rummage sale in addition to the stew luncheon. In 1990 an Arts and craft sale was added. Then in 1991 the Fall Festival as we now know it was born, evolving to include all members of the congregation hosting this event –both men and women. As has been our tradition for 26 years, it is held at the church located at 112 W Mt. Vernon Street in Mabank during the week of the November Election. The dates this year will be November 2, 3, and 4th, 2015.
Monies raised will support the ongoing mission of our 119 year old church as we continue to witness in this area. From making prayer shawls to Special Olympics donations, from making stuffed animals for hospitalized children to contributing to the Mabank Area Good Samaritans (M.A.G.S), our church contributes their time and talents to making our community a better place to live. Funds raised through events such as this make those contributions possible.
The night before the Festival, Monday, November 2nd, the church will open with a Bake and Craft Pre-sale from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. We will have baked goods, four craft themes ….Seasons Greetings, Glisten, Merry and Bright, and Cowboy Christmas….homemade jams, jellies, pickles, salsas, dry soup mixes and lots of great gifts. Once you are done shopping, pick up dinner featuring our famous Presbyterian “Stew to Go” meal which includes beef stew, cornbread, dessert, and a drink. This is the same menu that was served by the “Busy Bees” in the early 1900’s! The cost is $8.00 for one meal or $15.00 for two.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd, our Fall Festival will be in full swing. The Craft Sale and a Bake Sale will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Beef Stew meal with all the fixin’s will be available for Dine In or “Stew to Go” from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. In addition, there will be a drawing for the beautiful hand sewn “Spinning Star” quilt at 2:00 PM. Tickets for the quilt raffle can be purchased at the door. You do not need to be present to win.
The Fall Festival concludes on Wednesday, November 4th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This is the final day of the Bake Sale and Craft Sale.
This annual community event is truly a time of celebration to see friends, old and new. If you have recently moved to the Cedar Creek Lake area we welcome you to “come and see”. Enjoy a great lunch and become part of the tradition.
