What a Market season this has been! We're sad to see the regular gatherings in the municipal parking lot go down to just once a month, but we promise you that this Saturday we're finishing up with a hearty hurrah! It's Halloween, the third Community Day of the season, and the Sweet Endings Dessert Contest. That means fun for all!

Market Trick or Treat

There's gotta be a law somewhere that says that kids and kids-at-heart have to get in the spirit of the season and wear a costume out and about all day on Halloween. Especially in Lansdowne, where the annual All Hallow's Eve celebration is a community favorite. We oblige by giving children and adults alike permission to get dressed up in a costume this Saturday and come to the Market to gather treats from the vendors.

Happily, this year, the daytime fun extends beyond the Market because, starting at 1:00, children (accompanied by adults) can parade from the LFM parking lot down to the Twentieth Century Club, where they will be treated to a Halloween party with snacks, crafts, games, and prizes until 3:00 pm.

Even if you don't want to don a costume, you can get into the spirit of the season and give a treat to a hungry family by bringing canned goods and nonperishable foods to the Market Manager tent for distribution at the local food bank.

Community Day #3

The Market will look extra big this week with all the folks participating in Community Day #3. There will be a wide range of information and items available, from pedometers and historic walking tour info by Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital to the Lansdowne Arts Board's tees-and-totes printmaking workshop; from Thermigate, LLC, which helps residents of developing countries with innovative water and energy-smart systems, to crafters like Marf Daze's bags and pillows and Hooked on Earring's pay-what-you-want jewelry; from the Wine Sisters' handmade seasonal wreaths and candles to Chuck Ferguson's Recycled Tire Door Mats.

Also be sure to check out these tables: Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, Lansdowne Business & Professional Association, RCN Philadelphia, Green Mountain Energy, Lansdowne Green Friends & Neighbors (distributing information regarding clean energy options), Lansdowne Friends School, Roselawn for Bernie Sanders, and Lansdowne Lodge No. 711, Free and Accepted Masons.

Perfect Ending(s)

Today is Thursday. For those of us who thrive on last-minute deadlines, it's not even close to being too late to plan what can be dreamed up for Saturday's Sweet Endings Dessert Contest at the Market. What's your go-to specialty for the people with a sweet tooth in your life? Do you make a mean pie or is a cake more your style? Do you crumble, strudel, crisp, cupcake, or quick bread? Are your cookies crunchy or chewy--or both?

Whatever your style of dessert, we would love to see it competing on Saturday. Just include at least one Market ingredient and you're halfway to winning bragging rights and $15 in Market Bucks for first prize ($10 for second prize). To enter, fill out the Sweet Endings Dessert Contest form and bring your entry and entry fee ($5 per dessert) to the tent we're setting up for the contest early in the day.

Are you an eater, not a baker? Then the silent auction is for you. Put in a bid for the dessert (which you'll get to take home minus a small sliver given to the contest judges) and proceeds from the auction and the entry fees will be donated to the local community food bank.

Comfort and Joy

It's been so busy lately that we haven't had a spare second to think up fabulous cooking suggestions, so we'll let Epicurious do it for us. Also, think about making these flourless chocolate pumpkin cookies. That is all.

Halloween Vendors

All vendors were invited to bring treats for kids in costume, though some may forget or opt out. In any case, here's who we're expecting. Remember to say trick or treat! Weekly: Bonnie's Wondergardens, Frecon Farms, Freeland Market, Fruitwood Farms, Green Zebra Farm, Livengood Family Farm, MyHouse Cookies, Poniton Farm, The Avenue Deli, and Wilson's Curiously Good Foods. Nonweekly: Creative Shepherd Farms, Kia's Cakes, Mojo's Popcorn, Paradocx Vineyards, Spotted Hill Farm, Taste Artisanal Market, and Taste of Puebla. Visiting: Nana's Homemade.

SPONSORED LISTING

Kia's Cakes & Gourmet Goodies is being featured at The Icery all winter!! Join us from 4 pm to 8 pm Nov. 13 for an "Evening of Decadence" kickoff event with giveaways, coupons, desserts made to order and gourmet coffee. 23 N Lansdowne Ave.

Want to advertise in this space? Learn more.

Thanksgiving Prep

Once November hits, you know how fast things speed up, so it's just not too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving. Luckily, the LFM will be back on Saturday, November 21, with the last regular Market of the season, just in time for you to grab supplies for what may be the biggest meal of the year. All vendors are invited to this, meaning in addition to stocking up on produce and other yummy stuff, it's a great chance to get your knives sharpened before you need to carve that bird!

Mark your calendar because November 28 is Small Business Saturday (a great day to shop local in Lansdowne), the second day of A Bit of the Arts Holiday Art Sale at the Twentieth Century Club, and the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in the evening when Santa comes riding up on a big red fire engine to kick off the winter holiday season.

Lighting Up Lansdowne

There's nothing nicer in the winter holiday season than seeing twinkling strings of lights as you go down a major thoroughfare. You can help make that dream come true on Lansdowne Avenue by contributing to the Light Up Lansdowne campaign organized by The Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) and the local business owners in the Lansdowne Business and Professional Association (LBPA). Your tax-deductible donation can help us raise $1,200 to purchase lights to make the night sparkle.

Since 2005, the LEDC has leveraged over $500,000 worth of investment in Lansdowne, started numerous popular community events, and assisted more than 25 businesses with planning and facade improvements. Invest in your community and support the work of the LEDC'S Main Street Program by making a donation today. Questions? Call 610-745-4063 or email [email protected].

Pop-Up Vendors Wanted

The LEDC is hosting an indoor Pop-Up Market on Saturday, November 28, 12 to 6 pm in the former Thrift Shoppe on North Lansdowne Avenue. If you sell retail or handmade items that would make great holiday gifts, this event is for you! Applications and checks made payable to the LEDC should be mailed to 23 S. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne, PA 19050 by November 13.