Stop by Saturday in the Park with Chobani from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 27 and check out more than 45 vendors selling handmade items, fruits and vegetables, home décor, and much more. (Photo by Sarah Genter)

NORWICH — Saturday in the Park with Chobani is back for their second week on Saturday, September 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Norwich's West Park.

More than 45 vendors will set up in the park to sell a variety of wares, such as fruits and vegetable, handmade items, candles, home decor, maple syrup, lavender products, and much more.

"We’re so lucky we have so many talented people around here," said Organizer Mindy Chawgo. "It’s so nice to come out and support local and still see everybody and gather. So I think everybody looks forward to this time of year together."

Saturday in the Park lasts for six weeks, with the remaining vendor markets scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 27 and October 4, 11, and 18.

On October 18, visitors can also enjoy the first annual chili cook off at 11:30 a.m. Community members are invited to stop by and enjoy free samples of chili, and help judge over 15 local restaurants and chefs on their chili cooking skills.

Additionally, their final event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 25 will be the return of the Norwitch Fall Festival. The fourth annual event will feature over 50 vendors, kids' face painting and activities, food trucks, chicken barbecue, Disney character photo ops, caricature drawings, hay rides, a bounce house,

The day will also include the annual Norwich Family YMCA Halloween Parade as well as Trunk R Treat.

The Halloween Parade will begin at noon in downtown Norwich. Families, schools, organizations, and businesses are invited to register a float for the parade. To register or for more information, contact Tom Revoir at trevoir@norwichymca.org. The parade lineup will be shared on the Norwich YMCA Facebook page and in the Evening Sun.

Following the Halloween Parade, there will be an awards ceremony held on the courthouse steps in West Park for the best floats and costumes.

Those who would like to join the contest should wear an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of paper with a randomly selected number written on it. The numbers, as well as a brief description of their costume, will be used to announce the winners.

This year's parade is sponsored by NBT Bank, Preferred Mutual, the Ryan Family, the RC Smith Foundation and more to be added.

At 3 p.m., Trunk R Treat will be held in the Frontier parking lot, with more than 20 local businesses dressed in costumes to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters.

Chawgo encourages community members to stop by the park and check out all the great products, all while supporting small and local businesses.

"Support can come in a lot of different ways. Support can just be being here and learning about the product, and supporting them on social media, and liking them or sharing them, or just listening to them," she explained. "There’s a lot of ways to support our local businesses and small businesses around here. That's why it’s important to have things like this, and also attend things like this so we can continue to have them and bring them to everybody and bring them to the community."

Saturday in the Park with Chobani is sponsored and supported by Chobani and NBT Bank.

For more information, call 607-226-2211 or visit the Saturday in the Park with Chobani Facebook page.