The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa
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Fall Fair 2026
FirstU's 2026 Fall Fair will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026!
Hours: 9:30am - 2:00pm
30 Cleary Ave
Come enjoy some seasonal and pre-Christmas shopping. You’ll find a great selection of gift items, clothing, books, silent-auction items, toys and games, electronics, linens, knitted goods, home baking and lunch items, and much more!
Please bring your own shopping bags.
Debit and credit cards accepted.
Note to Local Artisans and Craftspeople: We do not rent tables out at Fall Fair. We hear there may be individuals who are pretending to represent First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, who want to take money for "renting tables", so please don't be fooled.
Where is the Fall Fair?
Find us at: 30 Cleary Avenue, off Richmond Road: 1km west of Westboro Village, 1 km east of Woodroffe Ave.
Please Note: Whether by car, bus, bike, or on foot, please enter the campus by turning north at the traffic lights at Richmond and Cleary/Redwood Ave (see photo, right).
Driving? Parking is available in our large parking lot.
Busing? The area is served by the Number 11 Bus with stops along Richmond Road. Check the schedule HERE.
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Fall Fair Needs You!
Fall Fair will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026!
As usual, our volunteers will take over the church the week before our big event, transforming our 16,000 square foot church into a huge mixed market!
Various tasks are available for volunteers both during the week of November 8th and on the day of the sale, Saturday, November 15th. We need lots of volunteers and we promise - there's a job for you!
Fall Fair is not only our biggest fundraiser, it's also the most fun and engaging event of the year! If you're new to the congregation or have been around for a while, we'd love to have you volunteer. It's a great way to meet new people and build connections with our wonderful community.
To volunteer or find out more, use the button below to email us!
What's New
Silent Auction is Changing!
Please bring your auction items as usual to the Worship Hall during Fall Fair week, November 9–12.
Donations will be directed into three categories:
1. Off-site Professional Auction Houses
We are accepting high-value donations that may be submitted to professional online auction houses after the Fall Fair.
We are seeking:
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Valuable jewellery (gems, gold, silver), china, crystal, and silverware
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Sculptures, antiques, and vintage items
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Rare or vintage books and documents
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High-end sports equipment and photography gear
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Musical instruments and nostalgia/collectibles
2. On-Site Silent Art Auction
We will feature a Silent Art Auction at Fall Fair. If you wish to donate a special piece—such as Inuit art, First Nations art, or work by recognized artists—please bring it to the Sanctuary between November 9–12 and ask for Helen or John. You may also contact Helen Spenser in advance at mikhel@sympatico.ca
3. On-Site Emporium
During the Fall Fair, Worship Hall will feature a fixed-price emporium. Tables and pews will hold curated items not selected for off-site auctions, including bargain art, quality housewares, hobby/sports gear, and small furniture pieces.
Donate to Fall Fair!
Our Fall Fair’s success depends on your donations of items to sell Decluttering? Please set aside your gently used goods for our next sale, scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026. We'll be accepting donations at the church, from 10:00am to 7:00pm, November 9-12 (Monday to Thursday only - November 13 is reserved for set-up). Note: Women’s clothing will only be accepted up to 7:00pm on Wednesday. Thank you in advance!
FirstU Fall Fair 2026 Donations Guidelines
Donations Accepted:
Monday November 9 to Thursday November 12
10:00am - 7:00pm
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Pack items in labeled boxes small enough to carry
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Group 'like' things together
Please Bring
In containers that one person can carry alone:
✔ Items over $50 value for auction house sales
✔ Items over $30 for the new Emporium
✔ High-Quality Art for the Silent Art Auction: Inuit or First Nations art, or work by recognized artists
✔ Books: Fiction and non-fiction, in good condition (medical or travel published since 2022)
✔ Gear (hobbies, sports, outdoors, including bicycles and skis with modern bindings)
✔ Yarn
✔ Select Men's Clothing including:
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Warm and light jackets and sweaters in good condition
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Jeans and T-shirts in good condition
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Footwear: casual and dress shoes and winter boots in good condition
✔ High Quality Women's Clothing in good condition, including:
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Fall and winter coats and accessories
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High-quality dressy clothes, vacation wear and sportswear
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Dresses and long skirts
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Sweaters
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High-end Purses, belts and hats
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Winter or leather boots
✔ Linens in excellent condition
✔ Vinyl records and DVDs
✔ Computers & accessories: quality stereos/speakers, radios, cell phones, flat screen TVs, software, 3D equipment, cables, cameras, laser printers, scanners
✔ Jewellery (including broken pieces – drop off IN ADVANCE all year at the Office) and Scarves including winter
✔ China, crystal, glassware, silver, decor, tableware, gift items, cookware, collectibles
✔ Puzzles
✔ Children’s toys, games
✔ Small portable appliances and tools
✔ Pet Equipment and toys
✔ Baking and Preserves
✔ Flea Market items in good condition
Please DO NOT Bring
✘ Damaged, mouldy, frayed, or broken items
✘ Items larger than one person can carry
✘ Punch bowls or sets
✘ Fabric
✘ CDs or VHS
✘ Travel guides from before 2022, textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines;
✘ Books that are water-damaged, mouldy/musty, torn or marked up
✘ Magazines, or self-help, philosophy, psychology, sociology, reference, textbook or encyclopedias
✘ Children’s equipment (playpens, car-seats, cribs, etc.)
✘ Women’s shoes, shorts, basic skirts or suits, casual or summer clothing, jeans or pants (unless designer label or fancy), T-shirts with logos or advertising NOTE: No bargain women’s shop this year
✘ Stuffed toys, cushions, or mattresses
✘ Large curtains or drapes
✘ Office supplies, binders, photo albums
✘ Items with advertising or logos
✘ Picture frames or branded cookie tins
✘ Ink-jet printers, old inkjet cartridges, portable cell phone chargers
✘ Helmets of any kind
