Shannon getting festive with pre-Christmas fair

The Shannon community is getting ready to get festive with the town's Pre-Christmas Fair next weekend.

The event will include a variety of stalls and entertainment, including arts and crafts, plants, jewellery, Māori art and kete, books and a sausage sizzle, co-organiser Robyn Mouzouri said.

All proceeds from the fair will go to the local foodbank as well as supporting Shannon's Community Pantry, with stall holders paying a fee either in money or a food donation, and entry to the fair also by food donation.

As well as stalls, there will be options for spiritual medium readings for those interested, with four mediums attending, including Mouzouri.

She said she had been involved in readings for many years, regularly reading at fairs in the lower North Island.

"I will be doing my 'Three In One' readings on the day; spiritual/psychic connection, a three-card angel spread and three pendulum yes/no question and answer session," Mouzouri said.

Artist Anita Nunn of Affordable Art NZ will also be displaying her works at the fair, as will renowned local artist Jack Moynihan.

Handcrafts by On A Whim and Craft A Little Dream will be on display and available for purchase, along with handmade crystal jewellery by Suzanne Aicken.

Emoyeni Products' popular, award-winning chilli chutney and sauces will also be available.

For those needing a bit of relaxation, Daisy May Healing will be attending the fair, offering relaxing and rejuvenating hand and foot massages or hot stone healing massages.

Masseuse Sally Mischefski said she was offering a fair special of $20 for 20 minutes of hot stone massage.

"If you have never had one then you will want to try it out," she said.

Mouzouri said the organisers were excited to see how the fair goes and hope it attracts plenty of locals.

She said she had become involved in organising it through Shannon Progressive Society and that this was her first year organising the event.

"It's a tester fair," she said.

While the fair is being held at St Bede's Anglican Church Hall this year, the organisers hoped to be able to move the fair to the Shannon Memorial Hall in future if the event goes well and is well patronised, she said.

While all stallholder spaces were now filled, there was still a large area of grass at the front of the venue that market gardeners could set up stalls on if weather permits, Mouzouri said.

Anyone interested can contact her on 027 734 4692.

Food donations for entry to the fair can be perishable or non-perishable items, as some will go to the foodbank and others to the Community Pantry.

Shannon Pre-Christmas Fair - Saturday November 2nd, 10am to 4pm, St Bede's Anglican Church Hall, 34 Stout St, Shannon.