Beach Haven — LBI’s epic Chowderfest Weekend kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 5, with a free merchant marketplace at the Taylor Avenue Ballfield in Beach Haven, at Ninth Street and the bay. Dozens of Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce members will lay out end-of-season bargains (see the list of vendors that follows), local specialties and gourmet food from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“This is a plastic bag- and balloon-free event,” organizers announced. “Please bring a tote for shopping.”

The live music lineup of popular local bands begins with Garage Kept, moves to 40 North and goes on with the Jimmy Brogan Band.

Beers on tap and hard ciders will smooth out the festivity, including Bud Light, Landshark Lager, Blue Point Toasted Lager, Spaten Oktoberfest, Goose Island IPA, Stella Artois Cidre, Strongbow and McKenzie Black Cherry. For the first time, wine by the glass and spritzers will be choices, brought by Barefoot Wines.

Festivalgoers who hear a roar will find it’s not the roar of the crowd; it comes from Chowdasaurus. Be prepared to see a dinosaur from noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. A dragon will roam the grounds as well – Ocean County Library mascot Sparks the Dragon.

Merchants Mart keeps on adding new activities, and now it’s a play area of Cornhole and Jenga for older teens and adults.

James Ditmars can amaze any age with his 5 Minute Caricatures.

For free kid-friendly activity, look for the hands-on crafts from The Learning Experience. And Home Depot will have a free kids’ workshop. Face painting is on scene with Sprinkles the Clown, Suzy Batullo and Sarah Cannovo.

Merchants Mart gathers friends for a good time, and it whets the appetite for more celebration the next day at the Chowder Cook-Off. —M.S.

MERCHANTS MART VENDORS

Advantage Screen Printing

Albrechts Island Air, LLC

Art Futures/Shirts N Stuff

Axe It 63

Bath Fitter

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate

Better Quality Linens

Book Depot

Bywatyr Shop

Carl’s Fencing & Decking & Home

Caught Not Bought

Causeway Home Watch, LLC

Chick’s LBI Shop

Coldwell Banker Riviera Realty

Costco Wholesale Manahawkin

Cutco Cutlery

David Lerner Associates

Express Plumbing Service, LLC

Faces 4 Autism

Farias Surf & Sport

Garden Metal Art

German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) Rescue

Great Bay Regional Volunteer EMS

Hazel Boutique

Holiday Snack Bar

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Island Teak/FireFly

Jersey Charm Coffee

Jersey Shore Air Adventures

Jetty Foundation

Jetty Life

JS Pro Construction

Keller Williams

LBI Surf Fishing Classic

Le Ente

Long Beach Island Historical Assn.

Lularoe/Lindsey Finn

Making Waves

Manasquan Bank

Maximilian Foundation

Mod Hatter

Naturally Home Consulting

NJR Home Services

Ocean County Library

Progressive Dimensions

Ralph’s Flags/Just Desserts

Rancocas Veterinary Associates

RE/MAX Ken Nilson

ReClam the Bay

Renewal by Andersen

Royal Pane Window Cleaning

Sea Breeze Realty Group

Shades of Beach Haven

Shore Brake Cyclery

Shore Builders Group

Shore Fire Grille/Tim’s Tribe T-Shirts

Simply Yoga LBI/The Beaded Mermaid LBI

Sink ’R Swim Men’s Shop

Soroptimist International of Long Beach Island

South Jersey Electric Vehicles

South-End Surf ’N Paddle

Stillwell Farms

Sunsations

Surflight Theatre

VRLBI

Weichert Realtors

Woodhaven Lumber & Millwork

World Famous Hot Sauce

Zilis