Well, dear reader, this is the final week for the Ligonier Country Market. It is hard to believe we have another year in the books. I view the in-person market season with a mixture of appreciation, apprehension, gratitude, and exhaustion. If I am to be one hundred percent transparent, I will be relieved not to have to awaken at three in the morning on Saturdays. I have already set in place the expectation that the first Saturday of October will be a sleep-in Saturday: no alarms, no plans, no overnight guests, no to-do list, no driving anywhere, and no cooking. It has been decreed! My child must put her budding social life on hold for one weekend.
This Saturday, the Ligonier Country Market is celebrating Halloween. Vendors are encouraged to decorate their booths, wear costumes, and hand out candy for trick-or-treating. I would have created a Halloween soap if I had known about the Halloween theme a bit earlier. I am already planning for next Halloween. We ordered twenty-five pounds of candy from our supplier, but alas, it did not come in with the order. Now, we are THOSE PEOPLE—the people who give out crappy candy to trick-or-treaters. We bought bags of Tootsie Pops, Charms Pops, Tootsie Rolls, and Smarties—none of which I find acceptable or up to my treat-supplying standards.
You see, dear reader, I LOVE Halloween! I don't get caught up in the dark side of Halloween. I get caught up in the autumnal seasonal, pumpkins, apple cider, vintage decorations, dressing up as someone you are not for a few hours, walking friendly neighborhoods with people I adore, and free candy. Really, does it get any better? I take my duties as a treat giver quite seriously. I put together elaborate treats while living in my big old Victorian in Brookville. I give out full-size candy bars for the neighborhood hayride and trick-or-treat at the farm. I take great pride in giving great treats.
I am quite disappointed with my treats for the market trick-or-treat and view it as a source of shame. The theme for the last market was posted when we were at Shaker Woods. Once Shaker Woods is over, we scramble to create holiday soaps, prepare for fall, and maintain products for the remaining Ligonier Markets. It's a busy time of year, and I struggle to do what needs to be done without a proper plan in place. This year, I will shamefully hand out lollipops and Smarties. I feed Jordan's Halloween stash of Smarties to my goats. Goats like Smarties, kids, not so much. Sigh.
On a positive note, we are dressing up for the final market. The Bibbed Wonder is taking a play from Jenna, the dress-up rock star's playbook. He is borrowing Jenna's hot dog costume. We call her The Wicked Wiener when she wears it. Don't ask me why my funny friend owns a hot dog costume. It's part of her Jenna charm. I am donning my witch costume with a long tulle black skirt, handmade broom, and spider fixator. I usually do elaborate eye makeup, but I fear my enthusiasm for elaborate eye makeup at three A.M. is a bit lacking.
If you have little ones, this Saturday would be a fun visit to the last farmer's market of the season. I gently encourage you to dress them in their Halloween best and bring them to a safe, fun, family-friendly trick-or-treat event. I apologize in advance for the sub-par treats. This Saturday is the last opportunity to enjoy all that The Ligonier Country Market offers, stock up on your favorite local handmade products, and enjoy a wonderful community of talented people. We hope to see you there.
On this overcast, drizzly fall day, stay safe, be smart, come out to the last farmer's market of the season, and keep washing your hands.
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