Canada’s oldest continuously running farmers market is gearing up to celebrate a monumental milestone. On Saturday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Saint John City Market will hold its first of several anniversary celebrations to commemorate 150 years in operation. Festivities will include multiple stages of live acts, a street party, family-friendly activities and more. “It’s amazing,” says market manager Andrew MacDonald. “We’re standing beneath the bell that has been rung every day for 150 years. We’re standing in a building that’s been here for the same amount of time and looking at so many vendors and having the memory of so many vendors behind them. “All the locals that are in and out here every day all have their own stories tied up to the market as well, intergenerational stories that we hear all the time. It’s very exciting.” The City Market first opened its doors in 1876 and was one of few buildings in the city to survive the Great Fire of 1877. It was designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1986. MacDonald, who is originally from Prince Edward Island, quickly learned how special the market was to the people of Saint John. He says getting to hear locals’ stories about what the market means to them doesn’t get old. “Even some of the stories that I’ve heard, I think about them and I’ll hear them again sometimes and be happy about it,” he says. “And sometimes dig deeper with some of those people who tell stories, who have been here, and you can learn a lot.” Wade Tyler, who is the head cook at Jeremiah’s Burgers and Fires, is one of those people who grew up with the City Market playing a prominent role. As a kid he says he used to catch fish and sell them to market vendors. Fast-forward to the present day at 55 years old, he never thought he would be working in one of the city’s most iconic buildings. “I’ve been working as a cook for 30 years, and this has been actually my dream,” Tyler says. “Just dealing with the tourists, the people. I’m a very people person and I enjoy just conversing.” Geoffrey Plourde, who operates his GP Creations vendor booth at the Charlotte Street end of the market, has worked in the market for the past five years. “Meeting all kinds of different people,” he says when asked his favourite part about working in the market. “People from overseas, and people from all over the world.” The City Market is planning more celebrations to mark the milestone year. In October, MacDonald is hopeful to have more of a formal party inside the market once construction of a new seating area has finished. Market makeover moving along Part of the market’s big year included changes to the space, including the removal of the middle red booth vendors at the east end of the market to build additional seating space for people looking to enjoy their lunch. A number of vendors have already moved into new upgraded spots along the market’s outer walls. Jeremiah’s Deli is completing the finishing touches of its new space and should return to its familiar spot before long. MacDonald admits some of the work isn’t moving as fast as he would like, but that hasn’t lessened his excitement for the upgrades. “The vendors know we’re creating a more inclusive and accessible space, and we’re using the space a little bit differently,” MacDonald says. “We’re looking at best practices of successful markets all over the country and beyond, trying to figure out how can we bring the locals back into the space and how can we get everybody excited about it again.” The market manager is aiming to have all work done by October, which is the same month the market first welcomed residents 150 years ago. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
