St. John the Baptist Fall Bazaar in Magnolia Springs set for Nov. 21

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. — Seafood gumbo, shrimp creole and a raffle basket worth $1,000 will headline the St. John the Baptist Fall Bazaar, the annual gathering at St. John’s Catholic Church in Magnolia Springs, set for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21.

The bazaar takes place outdoors on the church’s oak-shaded grounds, and organizers are inviting the community to come out for food, shopping and a chance at a holiday getaway.

Gumbo and creole by the quart

Food is a centerpiece of the day. The church will sell its five-star seafood gumbo and blue-ribbon shrimp creole by the quart.

Those who want to make sure they don’t miss out can pre-order. Orders can be placed through Angela Ray or by contacting the church office.

Both dishes are Gulf Coast staples. Seafood gumbo, a thick, dark stew traditionally built on a slow-cooked roux, and shrimp creole, a tomato-based dish served over rice, have deep roots in the cooking of the region, and quarts bought at the bazaar can make an easy meal heading into the busy holiday week.

Auction, crafts and baked goods

Beyond the kitchen, the bazaar will offer a variety of items for shoppers, including:

• A silent auction
• Aunt Ruthie’s Treasures
• Handmade crafts
• Gift baskets
• Baked goods

Coming the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the event gives shoppers an opportunity to pick up handmade gifts and holiday treats while supporting the parish.

Basket of Cheer raffle includes hotel stay

One of the day’s biggest draws is the Basket of Cheer raffle. Donated by the Magnolia Hotel and Fish River Grill, the basket is valued at $1,000.

The prize includes a two-night stay at the historic Hotel Magnolia in nearby Foley. Raffle tickets cost $5 each or three for $10.

About St. John’s and Magnolia Springs

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Mobile, which covers the southern portion of Alabama. The church sits at 10800 Saint John’s Lane, just off County Road 26.

Magnolia Springs is a small town in south Baldwin County situated along the Magnolia River, just south of Foley. The community, which incorporated as a town in 2006, is known for its moss-draped live oaks, its spring-fed river and its unusual mail service: postal carriers deliver mail to riverfront homes by boat, a route often described as the last of its kind in the continental United States.

Church bazaars like this one are a long-standing tradition in South Alabama parishes, serving as both fundraisers and social gatherings where longtime members, newcomers and neighbors catch up over food and shopping.

If you go

• What: Annual Fall Bazaar at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
• When: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
• Where: 10800 Saint John’s Lane, Magnolia Springs, just off County Road 26
• Food: Seafood gumbo and shrimp creole by the quart; pre-orders through Angela Ray or the church office
• Raffle: Basket of Cheer valued at $1,000, including a two-night stay at Hotel Magnolia in Foley; tickets $5 each or three for $10
• Also: Silent auction, Aunt Ruthie’s Treasures, handmade crafts, gift baskets and baked goods