St. Christopher’s plans 55th Christmas Caravan

Submitted by Norman Vickers, Coastline Communicator
St. Christopher’s, Pensacola

The fifty-fifth annual Christmas Caravan sponsored by St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church will be held Friday and Saturday December 2-3. On Friday at St. Christopher’s, 3200 N. 12th Avenue, there will be a bake sale, a bazaar with unique gifts for sale, and a luncheon. Also, there will be booths by local vendors offering gift items at nominal retail cost. On Saturday evening there will be a special candlelight dinner. Special holiday food prepared in the church’s kitchen by dedicated parishioners will be served to patrons by youth of the church. There will be holiday music performed by Arturo, classical/Latin/jazz guitarist. Silent auction will conclude on Saturday evening. Advance reservations are required for the candlelight dinner. Tickets are $25 each. Call church office for reservations, 850-433-0074.

Quick Summary of the two day event:

• The Parish Hall opens on Friday at 10 a.m. for bake sale, vendors and bazaar sales and closes at 3 p.m. Luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Luncheon tickets are available in advance at church office or at the door.

• Tour of homes on Friday is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The three homes will be decorated for the Christmas season. Tickets for all three homes are $10 per person. Home tour tickets may be purchased in advance or at door of any of the three homes. Call the church office for addresses.

• Candlelight dinner on Saturday begins at 6 p.m. Advance reservations are required. Tickets available at church office; call 850-433-0074 for tickets and details.

• Silent auction begins 10 a.m. Friday and ends 10 p.m. Saturday. One need not be present when bids are closed in order to win.

On Saturday evening there will be a special candlelight dinner. Special holiday food prepared in the church’s kitchen by dedicated parishioners will be served to patrons by youth of the church. There will be holiday music performed by Arturo, classical/Latin/jazz guitarist. Silent auction will conclude on Saturday evening. Advance reservations are required for the candlelight dinner. Tickets are $25 each. Call church office for reservations, 850-433-0074.The fifty-fifth annual Christmas Caravan sponsored by St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church will be held Friday and Saturday December 2-3. On Friday at St. Christopher’s, 3200 N. 12th Avenue, there will be a bake sale, a bazaar with unique gifts for sale, and a luncheon. Also, there will be booths by local vendors offering gift items at nominal retail cost.

Tour of three homes, decorated for the holidays will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. One home on North Hill is a Mediterranean Revival style house built in the 1920s and periodically improved since that time. The home has period furniture matching the décor of the house.

One cottage home on East Hill was built in the late 1920s of the finest materials. This home has been occupied by the same family since that time. The owner fondly remembers taking piano lessons in the parlor of that home. The family has collected art work, curios and memorabilia over these years and has it artfully displayed.

The third home is in the Scenic Highway area of more recent design. There are bold, eye-catching colors throughout every room. There are many antiques, Hummel and Anri collectibles and many one-of-a-kind pieces which create a warm, inviting atmosphere. The home, overlooking Escambia Bay offers waterfront views from most rooms. Tickets for all three homes are priced at $10. Call church office for addresses and details. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door of any of the three homes.

A silent auction begins on Friday at 10 a.m. and ends on Saturday at 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the candlelight dinner. One outstanding offer is one week in vacation home in the Caribbean island of Trinidad. This four-bedroom home is located ten minutes from the Port-of-Spain airport and overlooks the beach. It is in walking distance of golf course and mall. Other offerings include a catered six course dinner for eight, in your own home; an item from Jewelers Trade Shop; two evenings at the Saenger; Pensacola Beach condo, wine collections and Nina Fritz original watercolors.

Sandee Houston, chair of the Caravan Committee at St. Christopher’s said, “We are pleased to continue the tradition of holding an annual benefit at the beginning of the Christmas season. This has been the custom since the founding of St. Christopher’s in 1957. Last year, we raised approximately $25,000 which was donated to various local charities.

Ms. Houston continued, “This Christmas tradition was begun by the local chapter of the Episcopal Churchwomen but has expanded to include all the church members including the youth. The entire committee is excited about the project and continuing this fine custom. While we can accommodate most of the demands easily, seating for the candlelight dinner is limited, so early reservations are advised.”

For reservations and details about the home tours, luncheon and candlelight dinner,  call St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church 850-433-0074 or visit the website www.scpen.org.

PHOTOS FROM PAST CARAVANS