That strange little stretch of the calendar between summer and autumn has always been one of my favorite times of the year. You can still get a warm afternoon, but suddenly there are cooler nights, football starts creeping back into conversations, pumpkin everything begins showing up and people start thinking about flannel again.

Five years ago, the Streetz Artz Alliance and Soundgrowler Brewing Co. brought together comic artists, collectors, cosplayers and local makers for a different kind of pop culture event in Tinley Park. On Saturday, Aug. 22, the market returns for its fifth year with its largest mix yet of comics, original art, collectibles, gaming, cosplay, handmade goods and convention-inspired creations.

If you're planning on joining us this Sunday for the very first Crafted at the Oak: Metal, Magic & Mystery Market at Imperial Oak Brewing in Willow Springs, there are a couple of things I want you to know before we get into everything you're going to find.

On Saturday, August 8, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Streetz Artz Alliance returns to Maplewood Public House, 486 Pennsylvania Ave. in downtown Glen Ellyn, for the second Prism Market. After the success of our inaugural event in June, Maplewood and I agreed that moving the market to a Saturday afternoon would give even more families and shoppers the chance to spend the day with us.

Collectors know that the thrill isn't just about finding something rare—it's about the hunt. Whether it's discovering a first-print comic book, uncovering a long-sought vinyl record, completing a trading card deck, or meeting the artist behind a favorite illustration, every collection has a story.

Whether you're searching for a rare comic book, flipping through crates of vinyl, chasing that elusive trading card, or discovering original artwork from local creators, the hunt begins Saturday, August 1, as the second annual Comics, Cards & Vinyl Market returns to Noon Whistle Brewing from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

TINLEY PARK, IL – Pets, Beer, Tacos and Art returns to Soundgrowler Brewing this Saturday, June 20, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a free, family-friendly artisan market. More than 50 artists, pet businesses, service providers, and community organizations are expected to participate.

If you are heading out of town this Memorial Day Weekend, make sure to tell your friends staying local that the Streetz Artz Alliance has two incredible artisan markets taking over the Chicago suburbs this Saturday and Sunday. From Aurora to Tinley Park, patrons can expect a full weekend of craft beer, scratch-made food, vinyl records, Magic...

This Sunday, a new kind of artisan market experience arrives in Willow Springs as Crafted at the Oak: A Spring Market makes its debut at Imperial Oak Brewing.