Holidayfest Fundraiser Held this Saturday at Waverly Presbyterian

Holidayfest at is a more than 30-year tradition in Regent Square, complete with three different auctions and a night of jam-packed fun.

At 7 p.m. this Saturday, the tradition continues as the local church embarks on its biggest yearly fundraiser once again. The cost is $15, which includes admission, two glasses of beer or wine, or unlimited punch, coffee and tea, along with a dessert buffet. Beer is donated by McBroom Distributing.

“Many Regent Square businesses and restaurants support us,” said Waverly Pastor Beckie Hickok. “ gave two baskets, , donates, and more.”

All of the money raised during Holidayfest goes toward different projects at the church, including youth events, mission projects and more. Last year, the event raised $18,500. Waverly is located near the corner of Forbes and Braddock avenues.

From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., attendees peruse the vendors, which include a glass blower from Greene County, a potter, a fabric artist from North Versailles, a scarf maker, and Animal Nature pet store in Regent Square.

The first auction is the “Calvinist Auction.”

“John Calvin was the theologian who came up with predestination—so are you predestined to win this auction? Buy your ticket and put it in the bag,” Hickok explained.

Then, a silent auction with a starting bid begins and people go back throughout the night to sign up and mark down their offers. Theater tickets, pottery, jewelry, gift cards and other specialty items are the prizes.

Then the grand auction, led by auctioneer and church member, , is the final event of the night at 8 p.m.

“That has everything from vacation homes to sports memorabilia to dinners cooked in home,” Hickok said. “ does a scotch tasting party, I do a dinner on the deck in Charleroi, a 10-year-old boy here is a baker—Will Thayer—and he does a dessert of the month.”

Congregation member Melissa Neely offers a homemade soup party for a winner to have in their home. During Holidayfest, live music also will be provided by Nick Vargas.

“There are lots of different items for auction and we are going to do a tour of the cranes in the sanctuary as well,” Hickok said.

The were created in of the victims of 9/11. Each bird had the name of an individual who lost his or her life in the attacks. Cards with pictures of the cranes will be sold as part of the fundraiser.

Hickok said the event and fundraiser is important to the church’s overall mission.

“It’s what enables us to do the work that we do in the community and it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

The last thing to be auctioned off at Holidayfest is a chicken clock—but it has to be returned at the next year’s auction.

“We encourage people to take pictures of it wherever they go, so we have pictures of the chicken on the beach and here and there and everywhere,” Hickok said.

She also said she is excited for another successful year.

“I am looking forward to showing our guests the cranes so they can see what that looks like,” she said. “Every year, I look forward to seeing the way it all comes together and seeing the faces of people having a good time there.”