CHICOPEE, Mass. — Holiday festivities were underway in Chicopee as the eighth annual Christmas Bazaar took over the city over the weekend.

The bazaar hosted by Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church offered up Christmas themed décor, some of which was made by parishioners. It also featured gift baskets, raffles, and homemade Greek pastries.

Some of the items for sale, like the olive oils, liquors and other goods, were imported from Greece for the event. Last year, the pandemic forced the church to shift to a drive-thru, to-go model, so organizers were happy to be somewhat back to normal.

"It was so nice to have fellowship for all of us to get together," event chairperson Becky Mitchell said. "And certainly the community, because the community comes out. Chicopee is phenomenal."

"Everyone comes, people are relaxed when they come here, it's always a nice event. People are always happy when they leave, people are thrilled with the prices, I'm told, every year," Mitchell added. "We don't nickel and dime anyone. The goal is to make a little money for our church, but for people to get really good sales at the same time. And more importantly, hopefully have a really nice, welcoming group of people you meet when you're here."

The church has been in Chicopee since 1918. Organizers said people from as far away as New Jersey stopped by for the event.

Proceeds from the Bazaar this year will benefit the parish.