The Laestadian Lutheran Church in Cookstown usually holds two fundraising events each year – a Scandinavian Spring Bazaar, around Easter-time, and a Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar.
Each offers Scandinavian crafts, traditional treats and wonderful home baking, with teams of bakers turning out the Pulla Breads, Karelian Rice Pies, Korvapuusti (Cinnamon Rolls), Pipari (Gingerbread cookies), and other traditional goodies that attract shoppers from as far away as Toronto, Niagara Region, even Sudbury.
But this is 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on not only the Laestadian Lutheran but many other churches in Ontario, forced to cancel their fundraisers and community events.
The Spring Bazaar fell by the wayside, but organizers were determined to save the Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar, even if there had to be a change in format.
They came up with the idea of a drive-through Bazaar and bake sale.
Customers were asked to pre-order baking and treats on Facebook, then arrange to pick up their orders on Saturday, Nov. 14 between noon and 4 p.m., while maintaining social distancing and COVID safety protocols.
Not only was there a great selection of fresh baking, there were also frozen prepared foods, from ready-to-bake goodies, to popular Swedish meatballs and casseroles.
“It’s gone well,” said volunteer Katie Janhunen, noting that the church had received about 150 orders in advance of Saturday’s pick-up.
It was worth the effort, especially since “Christmas is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the church,” she said. “You have to adapt…. Luckily, technology is so easy now.”
Organizers agreed.
“Everything went so well – surprisingly well!” said Elina Neimi. “You never know until you try!”
There was nowhere near the same atmosphere of the usual Scandinavian Christmas, when the church hall is decorated for the season, filled with twinkling lights, seasonal music, and happy shoppers, buying their baking and sitting down to dinner or brunch in the Scandinavian Café.
But there were still plenty of smiles, as shoppers came from as far away as Toronto, Grimsby and Barrie, to preserve the tradition of the Scandinavian Bazaar.
And if the pandemic continues to grip the country next year, look for the same drive-in format for the Laestadian Lutheran Church’s Scandinavian Spring Bazaar.
For more information on Cookstown Scandinavian Bazaars, click here
