This year’s event takes place at the Fluvanna Community Church on Saturday, March 28, with more than 100 baskets, door prizes and activities scheduled. The doors to the event will open at 11 a.m. During this time guests will be able to view the baskets and prizes, and socialize with other people in attendance.

While the St. Susan Center is currently up to about 94 baskets, more are continuing to pile in. The anticipated total is about 125 baskets, a goal that the organization seemed hopeful about once again reaching. The grand prize tickets can offer the opportunity for guests to take more major prizes home as well. These door prizes include $1,000 cash, a Husky Workbench, two Swivel Chairs with Side Table, $500 Cash, and a Dyson Vacuum.

“During that we have the Comfort Cafe open, which is our own chef here from St. Susan Center along with several volunteers who will be having a full menu of things to purchase,” said Jen Lundmark, Basket Fair chairwoman. “If you want to sit down, have some lunch, enjoy some music, and then kind of at your leisure put your tickets in the basket.”

Cherie Rowland, St. Susan Center executive director, said proceeds go directly toward helping St. Susan to continue to provide to those in need throughout the area. Currently, Rowland stated that the organization serves about 150 meals each day, totaling to about 4,000 meals each month. With the group serving people from all over the city of Jamestown, and Chautauqua County as a whole, the funds help to continue to ensure that other residents have basic food needs met.

A table lined with various baskets.

Ticket sales will close at 1:45 p.m., with the drawing and winner announcements expected to begin at 2 p.m.

Rowland stated that the event is made possible due to the immense support from individuals and organizations around the community. Rowland gave particular praise to the incredible support from Wegmans, which is in its tenth year of supporting and sponsoring the event. However, Rowland stated that the list of organizations and individuals that contribute to the event is too long to even begin to fully cover.

“We’ve had baskets coming from Shults Auto Group. We’ve been having baskets coming in from Parkside Auto Group. We’ve been having baskets come in from several of our churches, as far as Randolph and as close to us as Zion Church,” said Rowland. “We have individuals that have been dropping off baskets. We have around 20 baskets that were given to us as far as being an anonymous giver that they’re just willing to support St. Susan. Several restaurants such as Landmark, long-time contributor, as well as Frewsburger and the Cherry Lounge. There’s so many different organizations and individuals and churches that have gone out of their way to support St. Susan and what our mission is, to feed the hungry and offer that healthy community as they come in the door.”

Rowland stated that the organization is always looking for more volunteer workers from the community that are looking to help aid in the organization’s mission. Additionally, a full list of the baskets, and basket fair information, is available at stsusancenter.org for those interested in learning more. It is thanks to community help and support that the organization has been able to grow thus far, and with continued support and help the group can continue to serve more vulnerable individuals within the community.

“I would thank the community for always showing up to support us at these events. And I would like to give a shout out to all of those that have given to make these baskets so spectacular, and to make the Basket Fair a 23 year experience,” said Rowland. It’s so much fun. Old friends meeting new friends, and new friends meet old acquaintances. So it’s just an amazing community event.”

Guest gathering in the Fluvanna Community Church for the 2024 Basket Fair. Submitted photos