‘Tis the season for tradition and the Main Street Farmers Market will host a new holiday institution in Shopping By Lantern Light on Tuesday from 6-9 p.m.

Beneath twinkling white lights of the holiday season, shoppers will find dozens of farmers, food vendors and craftmakers providing an incredible variety of products. This year marks the second annual event as the parking area of the downtown Sea Island Bank will be transformed into a nostalgic setting which reminds of a time when markets were the mainstay of food shopping.

Some of the many products offered include sweet potatoes, greens, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, beets, persimmons, lettuce, honey, eggs, grits, cornmeal, pecans, peanuts, locally roasted coffees, organic teas, jams, cane syrup, condiments and cheese.

“Farmers in the Northeast offer markets in the evenings to give people a chance to shop after work,” said event organizer John Beblowski. “Our Market Board thought this would be a good opportunity to show what our Farmers Market offers for those who do not get to come on Saturday. It also gives people another option to shop before Thanksgiving for what they may need for holiday meals.”

Boston butts will be available for pre-order for holiday meals and samples including barbeque sandwiches and baked sweet potatoes with cinnamon and brown sugar will be available.

“There will be many wonderful baked goods prepared by our local bakeries and home bakers and gift boxes of foods will be available for hostesses if you are not staying at home. What a memorable gift to share when you visit others — a taste of Southeast Georgia,” said market chair Debra Chester. “Also, the quality of crafts is excellent at this market so holiday gift shopping will be easy as people will find one-of-a-kind items.”

Jaime Riggs, director of the Statesboro Convention and Visitors Bureau, thinks Shopping by Lantern Light is on its way to becoming a signature event for Bulloch County.

“I do not know of any other community in our area that comes together in this way to promote their agricultural heritage and products prior to Thanksgiving,” Riggs said. “The emphasis on being grateful for the harvest of our area helps to inspire a theme of gratitude as we begin our holiday season.”

Well-known area musicians Donnie Collins and Jared Mckenna will provide a soundtrack for the event.

For more information, call (912) 489-1869 or e-mail info@visitstatesboroga.com.