DEMOPOLIS &8212; Excitement builds this time of year in anticipation of the annual UMW Bazaar, one of the first indications that Christmas isn&8217;t far away.

The women of the First United Methodist Church will host the event on Wednesday. Doors open at 10 a.m. to hundreds of shoppers who are looking for handcrafted items, good food, plants and monogrammed gifts.

They also may want to try for a handmade afghan &8212; made by Joyce Barnes &8212; or bid for exception bargains in the silent auction.

Daphne Glaser and Vickie Wilson are co-chairman of the Bazaar that brings back old favorites and offers something new.

Unique to the Bazaar this year is the pre-sale of monogrammed items such as guest towels, cosmetic bags, pillowcases, throw pillows, laundry bags and more.

Orders will be taken through the day of the Bazaar only.

Keeping with tradition, just about every member of the church gets involved in the Bazaar in one way or another.

All year long, they have been preparing one-of-a-kind items for the Home Accent Room, formerly the Craft Room, headed by Mary Price and Cheryl Newell. Nell Gibson solicits specialty items from the church&8217;s many cooks for the Bake Room, and Iona Watts again chairs the Attic Treasures collection of used items.

Mary Beth Freeman heads the Silent Auction, preparing a display of items donated for sale during the Bazaar, and Lucy Spencer chairs the SERRV display of handmade and hand-carved items from mission projects.

One of the most popular events during the Bazaar is the luncheon.

The Demopolis Rotary Club suspends its usual meeting to gather at the Bazaar for its weekly meal. Bazaar-goers can enjoy a chicken salad lunch and a selection of desserts baked by church members.

Upwards of 700 meals are served during the Bazaar, either eat-in or take out, and an army of volunteers helps with the preparation and serving. Catherine Ferguson is the chairman of the dining room; Jane Wallace, the kitchen; Kim and Barbara Mayton, carry-out, and Jane Watson, the Rotary dining room.

Kayte Melton is publicity chairman, and Margie Williams and Becky Jordan are in charge of the collections.

The thousands of dollars raised each year at the Bazaar to sponsor missions and other projects sponsored by the UMW.