Former longtime Aspinwall resident Fay Powell is a force behind annual Harvest Fair

Fay Powell has been a long-time contributor to, and consumer of, the Harvest Fair at Fox Chapel Presbyterian Church.

A church member more than four decades, Powell recalls making mushroom sandwiches and being part of a sewing group that made doll clothes.

Since retiring in 2015 as a nurse at UPMC, Powell has ramped up the hours she spends readying the church for its annual boutique fundraiser.

“It’s about trying to develop a sense of camaraderie within the church,” Powell said. “That is going away in today’s world, and opportunities are few and far between.

The Highland Park resident has taken over as volunteer coordinator and also will run the bake sale at this year’s event.

“It’s good for church members to get to know one another and to work on a mission,” she said.

The Harvest Fair is a widely anticipated flea market that draws hundreds of people browsing for good deals on upscale clothing, furniture, jewelry and artwork.

It is scheduled for Sept. 9-10 at the church along Field Club Road starting at 5 p.m. both days.

Volunteers work year-round to collect donations, which are then displayed in several rooms throughout the church. Traditional sale departments include books, crystal/china, clothes, linens, jewelry, toys, sports, art, garden and accessories.

Wildly successful, the fair last year brought in $75,000 that was distributed to community nonprofits and others across the globe.

Local groups that benefited include the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry in Sharpsburg, Backpacks for Hunger, Fox Family Cares and Aspinwall Meals on Wheels.

Church volunteer Carol Huff of O’Hara said the fair committee is fortunate to have Powell.

“She is what everyone would want in a volunteer — dedicated, selfless and willing to pitch in anywhere she is needed.

“She jumps into new tasks.”

Huff said Powell is already turning out mouth-watering treats in preparation for the bake sale that coincides with the fair.

“We put out as much as we can possible produce,” Powell said. “I like to feed people and the Harvest Fair (through its donations) provides women and children with opportunities to move forward in the world.”

Founded in the 1950s, the Harvest Fair is so popular that volunteers found a way to continue it during the pandemic. Much of the sales were online, and Powell said the results were far-reaching.

“We get these items donated and sometimes we hear the story behind the piece, but most times we don’t,” she said.

Last year, she was contacted by an artist who saw his painting up for bid online.

“It was a picture of a train station, and the artist was flabbergasted that it was still around,” she said. “That was fun.”

Powell, who recently moved from Aspinwall after 38 years, said she’s proud to be part of the long-standing tradition.

“People look forward to it. They can get quality things at low price and most of the proceeds go to agencies in the area to help with food and children’s needs. The hard work goes back into the community.”