Don't miss the third week of Saturday in the Park with Chobani from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 4 in Norwich's West Park. (Photo from the Saturday in the Park with Chobani Facebook page)

NORWICH — Saturday in the Park with Chobani is returning for its third week in their six-week season on Saturday, October 4 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 products, including homemade candles, home decor, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, pumpkins, coffee, maple syrup, flowers, artwork, and more.

"[They can] get coffee, baked goods, all of their fall needs will be here. Plus, they can get their Christmas shopping, and get all their little pumpkins and apples," said Organizer Mindy Chawgo. "It’s just going to be a full service shopping experience down here. We have a little bit of everything which I’m so excited about."

There will also be several nonprofits set up in the park, as well as some food vendors, and free Chobani yogurt. Additionally, Saturday in the Park and Chobani have partnered with the Edmeston Community College for an initiative to make sure no one goes hungry.

This Saturday, NBT Bank will be holding a shred day in the park. In partnership with Rogers Service Group, they will be offering free shredding services so community members can safely discard old documents.

Saturday in the Park will continue each week in October, with the vendor markets scheduled for October 11, 18, and 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in West Park.

There will be an additional treat this year: the first annual chili cookoff at 11:30 a.m. on October 18. Visitors are invited to stop by and sample chili from more than 15 local restaurants and vote for their favorite.

The weekly events will culminate in the fourth annual Norwitch Fall Festival on Saturday, October 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in West Park. There will be more than 50 vendors, a bounce house, kids' face painting and activities, caricature drawings, hay rides, food trucks, and more.

The festival will also include the Norwich Family YMCA Halloween Parade, beginning at noon in downtown Norwich.

Families, schools, organizations, and businesses can register to participate in the parade. Individuals are also welcome to walk in the parade as well. 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.

The parade will also include a costume contest, with judging to be held on the Chenango County Courthouse steps immediately following the parade.

Individuals who would like to participate in 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.

"If they want to be entered into the contest, any random number on your back on a piece of white paper. So it can be any number you choose, and then just when they walk in front of the judge’s stand, just make sure that they show their number," said Chawgo.

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


From 3 to 5 p.m., Trunk-R-Treat will be held in the Frontier parking lot. Over 20 local businesses will be participating, with decorated cars and dressed up in Halloween costumes. Families are encouraged to stop by and do some trick or treating.

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.