It’s time to break out the holiday shopping lists — the 48th Annual Holly Day Fair is right around the corner. Nov. 6-9 shoppers are invited to check out the many unique and varied treasures at Eastern North Carolina’s largest holiday gift and craft show. With more than 200 vendors offering a wide range of items, shoppers are sure to find something fun and different for everyone on their Christmas list.

The Holly Day Fair offers holiday decorations, handmade crafts, stylish jewelry and clothes, children’s toys, specialty food items and much more.

For the better part of 50 years, the Junior League of Fayetteville has helped the area usher in the holiday season with this fun-filled event. On average, the Holly Day Fair draws about 21,000 shoppers over the course of the weekend. This year, the Junior League hopes to make it bigger and better than ever.

“The Holly Day Fair is an exciting event that kicks-off the holiday season! It’s great to see returning shoppers and vendors year after year and meeting newcomers as well,” said Sarah Marie Stewart, 2014 Holly Day Fair Chair. “This year we have expanded our publicity efforts by reaching markets, not only to those counties and cities that surround Fayetteville, but also to several neighboring states. We hope you join us at our 48th Annual Holly Day Fair entitled, ‘A Classic Christmas!’”

Since its inception the Holly Day Fair has served to bring holiday cheer to the community while fostering a culture of volunteerism and community service. Junior League of Fayetteville’s President, Shannon Geoly, says of the event, “The Junior League of Fayetteville is fortunate to host an amazing fundraising event. Last year was monetarily our most successful year, raising in excess of $300,000. This year, our 48th Holly Day Fair, we hope to surpass that amount. These funds make it possible for the Junior League of Fayetteville to continue to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of women and support programs and projects in our community that offer children services and opportunities that support their overall well-being. We live in a great community of amazing people who generously support one another, and we are pleased and proud to be a part of it.”

The Holly Day Fair offers great shopping in a festive environment and the proceeds are all used locally to benefit the community. The event is the Junior League’s biggest fundraiser. The Junior League makes a big impact by choosing to focus on child mental health. Specifically, it partners with Cumberland County Boys & Girls Club and Operation Inasmuch’s Transitional Home Restoration.

Through the Smart Girl Program, girls 8–17-years-old receive guidance that helps them strive for healthy attitudes and lifestyles. The program offers encouragement, development and training to help the girls prepare for the responsibilities of adulthood and to encourage them to reach their full potential.

The Operation Inasmuch Transitional Home Program offers meals to the homeless Monday through Friday. The organization has several programs that include skills training and home repair and housing assistance.

Super shopper hours are Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. These special event tickets can be purchased for $14 and are limited. Strollers and any type of rolling carts are strictly prohibited during Super Shopper hours. General admission tickets for the event are $9. All tickets include free parking. Children 5 and under are free.

Hours for the event are: Thursday, Super Shopper hours from 9 a.m. to noon; general admission hours from noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets for the 2014 Holly Day Fair are on sale now through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the following ticket outlets: The Junior League of Fayetteville office, Bumbledoo, Mellow Mango located on Raeford Road, Ramsey Street and Hope Mills, The Pilgrim Gifts, Vibra’s in Dunn, Biggs Park Mall in Lumberton and Southern Pines Diagnostic Imaging.

The Crown Expo Center is located at 131 East Mountain Drive, off Hwy, 301 in Fayetteville. For more information, please visit www.hollydayfair.com or the Junior League of Fayetteville’s website at www.jlfay.org.

Photos: Shoppers enjoy the holiday spirit while shopping at the Holly Day Fair right.)

The Junior League Holly Day Fair Committee (bottom left)