The Eli's Cheesecake Farm Stand and Fresh Market will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 24. View Full Caption Eli's Cheesecake

CHICAGO — Eli's Cheesecake Company is jumping into farmers market season with a weekly gathering of fresh food and artisan crafts, all starting with a summer-opening celebration on Thursday.

The 37-year-old Dunning institution, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Drive, will kick off its 17th annual Farm Stand and Fresh Market with a free breakfast and lunch, live music and a chance to win a basket full of prizes.

The continental breakfast will offer bagels and cream cheese, mini pastries and fruit from 8-10 a.m. Thursday, according to Eli's marketing director Jennie Coursey. A lunch featuring a "selection of grilled eats" will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Coursey said.

The farmers market, slated to run from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. every Thursday, will feature more than a dozen vendors, including "local fruit and vegetables, artisan soaps, hand crafted jewelry, fresh honey and syrups, baby and children’s hand crafted clothing and more," Coursey said.

Singer-guitarist Suzy Schwartz will perform at Thursday's event, and visitors can enter a raffle for the chance to win a "best of market basket" with "a little something from each vendor," including an Eli’s cheesecake, Coursey said.