Church Fair Feasts
BY JOHN WINTERS / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

It's been a busy few months for Laurie Lawes. And, the coming weeks will see things heating up even more.

The North Attleboro woman is cooking like crazy, making the pies, jams, cookies, pickles, and jars of relish and salsa that will be featured at the annual fair that will be held Nov. 7 and 8 at Murray Unitarian Universalist Church in Attleboro.

"I grow the food and I love to use it and see people enjoy it,'' Lawes said.

The stacks of jars, the ready to-bake pies and cookies, and other fixin's now taking shape in the church kitchen are a sure sign that the church fair season is just around the corner.           

The greater Attleboro area is home to roughly 45 fairs between Oct. 11 and December.

Most fairs feature rides, arts and crafts, games and other forms of family fun.

Then there's the food.

Baked goods, ham and bean suppers, turkey dinners, fresh greens, chowder, gourmet offerings, and homemade chocolate are just a few of the culinary customs church fair regulars have sampled over the years.

The food is made by volunteers, like Lawes, who herself has a team of other volunteers of all ages that will help her put the finishing touches on all the goodies once crunch time approaches. Most of the fairs sell the edibles to raise money for various projects and charities.

 MARK STOCKWELL / SUN CHRONICLE

Laurie Lawes shows off some of the food she's cooking up for the annual fall fair at Murray Unitarian Universalist Church in Attleboro.