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A pleasant fall day drew a crowd to
San Jose’s West Park for the season's last Market in the Park and
the second annual Chase Montgomery Memorial Cruise-In Saturday,
September 26. A variety of crafters, food vendors, and non-profit
organizations lined the area around the pavilion and baseball field.

One of the most popular attractions
was the petting zoo. Jenna’s Barnyard Buddies had creatures big and
small for visitors to enjoy. Ducklings were the first stop at the
petting zoo; four of them splashed in the water. Then came the
larger animals: a calf who enjoyed head scratches, a pig snacking on
the grass, and three small goats huddled together for a nap. Nearby
were a pony, a donkey, a sheep, and another goat. Alone in a smaller
space was a grey-and-white bunny, and Jenna herself was seen holding
a tiny puppy. More four-legged friends were seen under the pavilion,
each on their own perch. Thor and Apple of Cedar Patch Rabbitry
rested calmly as visitors brought pets, and their owners prepared
cotton candy; next to them were wood crafts for Christmas, fall, and
Halloween.


As the morning passed and lunchtime
approached, the smells from the food vendors were enticing the
crowd. Bark-N-Bite BBQ was serving pulled pork, chopped brisket, and
two types of mac n cheese. Amalla Acres was serving queso birria
tacos, cheese quesadillas, elote cups, and Mexican sodas. A few
vendors also offered an assortment of sweets. Behm’s Baked Bliss was
serving sourdough waffles with a variety of toppings. Pop Boutique
by Lexi had cake pops, cookies, cinnamon rolls, apple cider donuts,
and apple crisp.
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The market was full of jewelry,
clothing, accessories, and crafts. J’s Crochet offered a selection
of crocheted friends. Clay and Constellations displayed their
colorful beaded bracelets. The crafter behind Clay and
Constellations has been nominated as an Illinois Ambassador of Music
and is raising funds for her trip to Europe next year. Bloom & Wing
had several clothing pieces and accessories. For home décor, Dumb
Bird Curated Corners had a large display of antique books and other
vintage finds.

Across the park in the outfield was
the cruise-in. Several vehicles lined up to honor the memory of
Chase Montgomery, who passed away in June of last year. Chevrolet
was well represented with several generations of vehicles. Owners
gathered around and opened hoods to discuss their cars while
visitors walked through the aisles, admiring the different colors
and models.
Market in the Park and Chase Montgomery Memorial Cruise-In photo
slideshow part 1
Market in the Park and Chase Montgomery Memorial Cruise-In photo
slideshow part 2
[Joli Boerma Crane]
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