Collections open for Harvest Fair in Fox Chapel

Volunteers at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church have opened the doors to collections, officially kicking off Harvest Fair season.

The fair is a two-day event with thousands of items for sale.

Preparations began June 2 and will continue through the first week of September, when volunteers work for days to display furniture, glassware, clothes, sports equipment, books and jewelry in anticipation of eager crowds.

Items will be accepted from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the church at the intersection of Fox Chapel and Field Club roads.

“The committee is extremely thankful for all of the support from the local community because of the tremendous outpouring of quality donations every year and because of the help of volunteers,” Committee member Carol Huff said.

“The Fair has truly become a community event because of all the support we receive.”

Founded in the 1950s, the Harvest Fair has become a destination for shoppers, thrifters, upcyclers and those who enjoy a treasure hunt. It draws hundreds of people browsing for good deals on upscale clothing, furniture, jewelry and artwork.

It is scheduled for Sept. 8-9 at the church. Exact hours are to be determined.

Shopping becomes an adventure at the Harvest Festival because items are displayed across so many of the rooms throughout the church. Traditional sale departments include books, crystal/china, clothes, linens, jewelry, toys, sports, art, garden and accessories.

Despite the pandemic, the fair has brought in upwards of $75,000 in each of the recent years. In 2022, profits topped $87,000.

Proceeds are split among three dozen local nonprofits and others across the globe.

Area groups that have benefited include the The Women’s Center and Shelter, local food banks, Youth Empowerment Project of Sharpsburg, Roots of Faith/Circles, Fox Families Care, Backpacks for Hunger, Aspinwall Meals on Wheels, Hosanna House and Hosanna Industries.

Longtime volunteer Emy Boag has spent countless hours cleaning and sorting donations over her 20-plus years on the committee.

The goods keep getting better and better, she said.

“There are some very interesting things that have come in already. People are very generous,” Boag said.

She’s trying to track down the backstory of a donated soft pink children’s kitchen set.

“It’s absolutely beautiful painted enameled wood, with working pieces like a clock,” Boag said. “I think it’s a company that comes from the UK but I’m not sure yet. It’s quite lovely.”

Boag believes the community supports the fair so mightily because the proceeds help people “in our backyard.”

She said items should be clean and in good working order, although there are a few volunteers who are handy enough to make minor repairs.

Mattresses and used bed pillows are not accepted. Computers should be donated directly to the Youth Empowerment Project of Sharpsburg.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call 412-963-8243.