Independence Park Farmers Market, Sunday, September 22, 9 am to 1 pm

The market is located at Irving Park Road (4000 north) and Springfield Ave. (3900 west), Chicago. 35 vendors selling everything from organic fruits and seasonal vegetables (beautiful fall gourds and squashes too), grilled English bangers to vegetarian tamales, frozen bison (ground, patties, steaks, sausage and jerky), crepes made-to-order to gourmet free trade coffee, organic meats, including Halal lamb, honey, eggs, spices, kettle corn, baked goods, cheeses, olives and olive oils, handmade chemical-free soaps, shampoos, pet treats, tofu and bean sprouts, jams and jellies, gourmet chocolates, meat rubs and marinades, canned vegetables, dry soup mixes, fancy cupcakes and more! Bring your kitchen knives, scissors and lawnmower blades to be sharpened while you shop. You can even buy orchids or indoor plants. LINK is accepted at the market. Tons of Children’s Activities: Multilingual Chicago will be teaching Spanish through singing, games, and crafts from 9 to 10 am; “Miss Jamie from the Farm: A Children’s Sing-A-Long with Farmyard Flair,” 9:15 to 10 am; Lenny Zieben will be singing and performing for 1 to 3 year olds from 9:30 to 12:30 pm; two free children’s craft classes taught by neighborhood artisans from 10 to noon. Circus in the Park: The Independence Park Advisory Council (IPAC) will be promoting the Circus in the Park-The Midnight Circus, which will have 5 shows this year in the big circus tent set up right in the park. The dates and times are Friday, October 4, 7 pm, Saturday, October 5, 2 pm and 5 pm, Sunday, October 6, 1 pm and 4 pm. Tickets are available at www.circusintheparks.org. This circus is truly amazing and wonderful entertainment for absolutely everybody! Funds raised will go toward renovating the Independence Park playlot. Public Service: The Danny Did Foundation (www.dannydid.org), an epilepsy awareness organization, will be at the market to educate the public about epilepsy and SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy). Music: Our favorite bluegrass musicians, the Indy Park Jammers, will be playing and singing during the market too. Bring along your guitar or banjo and singing voice to join in the fun with them. Recycling with Free Compost: Bring a bucket to get free used coffee grounds from Stivers Gourmet Coffee. Your acid loving plants, such as azaleas, hydrangeas, blueberries, rhododendrons and creeping phlox, will love you for the coffee grounds. Free parking in the south lot on northbound Springfield Ave. next to the field house or on Irving Park Road. #80 Irving Park Road bus stops at Springfield; Irving Park Road Blue Line stop is two blocks west of the park. Park Address: Independence Park, 3945 N. Springfield Ave., Chicago, IL 60618 www.gipna.org