As Indian summer faded and autumn took up residence on Whidbey Island, the last Saturday of October was observed by festivals of harvest and the fun and spookiness of Halloween.

Both the South Whidbey Tilth and Bayview Farmers markets had special events to mark the occasion of their last day selling produce, baked goods and crafts out in the open. Under skies a typical Whidbey gray, with a bit of dampness seeping through, marketgoers at both sites stocked up on fresh organic sweet corn, bags of salad greens, potatoes, squash and pumpkins. They bought baked tarts and cinnamon rolls — some even made it home before being eaten.

Kids (and quite a few adults) came in costume, both charming and outlandish. Molly Petersons of Molly’s Garden won the prize for best vendor costume at Tilth by dressing up as her daughter Anna, complete with purple hair.

Bayview Corner celebrated not only Halloween and the last market day, but the opening of the new Art Store, featuring work by island artists and artisans. Outside, kids scrambled in haypiles for candy, little ones paraded in tiger outfits and older (over 21) market visitors tasted the homebrewed beer by Joe Arnold of Merlin Brewing in Bayview, along with a brat from the grill of Smilin’ Dog owner Marty Fernandez.