Final City Market of the season from 3 to 7 p.m., today, Friday, Oct. 22

From press release

Rockford City Market ends its first season with costumes and decorations from 3 to 7 p.m. today, Friday, Oct. 22. The market is along Water Street between State and Jefferson streets in downtown Rockford.

Enjoy the kids’ market costume parade led by CoCo the parrot, vote for your favorite decorated vendor booth and learn how to carve pumpkins like a pro.

Entertainment & demonstrations

Market vendors booth decorating

Market vendors will decorate their booths and dress in costume. Vote for your favorite. Ballots are located on the back of the directory. Voting ends at 6:10 p.m., and the winner will be announced at 6:30 p.m. The winning booth will receive the first half of next season free.

Kids’ costume parade

Kids, show off your costumes. Children 12 and younger are invited to attend in costume and join in the market costume parade. CoCo the parrot from CoCo Key Water Resort will help lead the parade. Participants are asked to meet at the upper deck at 6 p.m.

Pumpkin decorating for kids

The first 50 kids at the market will get a free pumpkin and stickers for decorating. Choose smiles or frowns, sleepy eyes or scary ones to create your own pumpkin face. The Rockford Moms’ Club is assisting with the event.

Pumpkin carving demonstration

Do you want to learn how to carve pumpkins like a pro? Pumpkin carvers will show you the secrets for making your jack-o’-lanterns the best on the block.

Music by Mike Lynch, 4-7 p.m.

Artist Mike Lynch is a 2010 Rockford Area Music Industry Award-nominated solo artist. He plays mostly blues with some folk and a few Jimmy Buffett tunes on an acoustic guitar accompanied by a rack harmonica.

Weekly specials

Apple and pumpkin doughnuts

The ladies of Bella Luna will feature apple and pumpkin doughnuts for the final Rockford City Market. They will also have seasonal bread, briullate (Italian sausage bread) and cannolis.

Trick-or-treat bag

Lori’s Recycled Chic is selling milk jugs for trick-or-treaters. The containers are $3 a piece or free with any purchase.

Rockford City Market

Rockford City Market is from 3 to 7 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 22 along Water Street between State and Jefferson streets in downtown Rockford. The market includes local growers and vendors who sell natural products, including vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat, cheeses, flowers, herbs, baked goods, wine and healthy snacks, as well as artisans and vendors with unique offerings and live entertainment by a variety of performers.

Rockford City Market is a collaborative effort of several agencies, including the Rock River Development Partnership, On the Waterfront, Inc., Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the River District, the City of Rockford, the Rockford Area Economic Development Council and Smith Charitable Foundation.