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.

Looking for something different to do this weekend? The Flurry Artisan Market returns to Hailstorm Brewing Company on Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., transforming one of Tinley Park's favorite breweries into a marketplace filled with local artists, handmade goods, great food and craft beer.