The Cass County Community Center, in Atlantic, will be transformed into a bustling holiday market on Monday, November 23rd from 3:30- to 7:30-pm, for the second annual Holiday Harvest Market. Fresh, locally grown produce will be available for your Thanksgiving gatherings. And, get some help with your holiday baking from southwest Iowa bakers.

You’ll also find unique holiday gifts made by local crafters for special people on your gift list. Samples will be available from vendors, guest chefs and recipe contest entrants for shoppers to enjoy as they browse. Fun activities for youth, voting on local recipe contest winners and seasonal music will make this an event the whole family can enjoy.

Vendor spaces are still available, and any local farmers, bakers, artisans or crafters are invited to sign up. The event was very well attended last year, and received excellent reviews from attendees and vendors alike. Vendors interested in participating can find details and a registration form online at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass or http://www.atlanticiowa.com>. Vendor booth spaces are available at $20 each.

Local residents with a favorite seasonal recipe are invited to share it, and possibly win a prize, by entering the Best of Market Recipe Contest. Entries will be judged by their use of local, seasonal ingredients- whether they be produce, meat, eggs, grains, or preserved foods. Recipes will be judged by a panel of local celebrities, as well as by popular vote from market attendees for the People’s Choice award. If you have a favorite recipe, but aren’t sure where to find a local vendor, you can check a list of local producers registered for the market online to find what you are looking for. A full list of vendors, information on the recipe contest, as well as other activities and special events will be posted online at the Cass County Extension website.

The Holiday Harvest Market is sponsored by Farmers Markets of Cass County, Cass County Local Food Policy Council, and City of Atlantic Community Promotions Commission. The event is endorsed by the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.