The Scripps Ranch Farmer's Market, a longtime fixture in Scripps Ranch, will close following one more Halloween Trick or Treat Day for kids on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Farmer's Market manager Beverly Cassity was forced to seek a new location for the weekly event because the San Diego Unified School District board voted to redevelop the property where the market was being held at 10380 Spring Canyon Road, in the Innovations Academy parking lot. The school is also being forced to find a new location next year.

The development project, named the Scripps Mesa Joint Occupancy Project, involves construction of a mixed-use facility, including a 264-unit apartment complex.

The market will close after exactly 17 years because a new location could not be located, although Cassity spent about two years attempting to locate an appropriate space. Three possible locations were being pursued: a lot at Scripps Ranch High School, a space at the local YMCA and a space at Miramar College. Unfortunately, none of those avenues panned out and all attempts have been exhausted.

The Farmer's Market, billed as a weekly family festival, allows visitors the opportunity to eat breakfast or lunch at a tasty selection of food vendors, browse among the many booths, purchase a supply of fresh produce, listen to live music, visit with friends and discover something new and surprising each week. Indeed, the many vendors with booths at the market provide a wide array of unique items such as handmade furniture, pet treats, clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, pastries, soaps and cooking items.

Beverly Cassity started the Scripps Ranch Farmer's Market and has run it with the help of her husband, Mike Cassity, all these years. Marjorie La Beach is the assistant manager.

The Cassitys partnered with Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School (EBS) and have run the local Farmer's Market as an on-going fundraising project for the school, donating a large percentage of the weekly profits to EBS.

While Beverly Cassity is understandably unhappy about the upcoming closing of the market, she remains upbeat, stating that everything happens for a reason.

"Thank you, Scripps Ranch, for 17 years of support and love," she said. "It's been a great ride."

She also wants the public to attend the Scripps Ranch Farmer's Market and support the vendors during the market's last few Saturdays of operation.

It's important to note that the Farmer's Market will continue to operate from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Saturday at its present location through Saturday, Oct. 27. That's a big date to remember because the Scripps Ranch Farmer's Market will hold its final Trick or Treat Day. This last event is sure to be one of the largest of the year in Scripps Ranch as residents will get a chance to say goodbye and shop one more time at the market. Families with children are encouraged to dress in costume and kids should bring a bag to hold the treats they will receive from the many vendors. Several fun activities will be available to keep the children happy all day.

Scripps Ranch News will continue to update this story in the days ahead. More details about the Trick or Treat Day will follow as well.