Sackvilles outdoor farmers market expanding into September

Mount Allison students returning to Sackville next month will have the opportunity to shop at the town's newly-expanded outdoor farmers' market on Bridge Street.
Building on their first successful summer season, the organizers of the downtown Saturday morning market have asked for the okay to close Bridge Street to traffic through the month of September as well.
The expanded market - which has grown from a handful of vendors inside Bridge Street CafÉ into an outdoor community gathering out on the street that features an eclectic mix of goods as well as local entertainment - has livened up the downtown atmosphere and has become a popular destination for residents and visitors throughout July and August.
"This was a trial for the summer and it appears to be going very well," said Coun. John Higham, liaison councillor for community economic development, during council's regular meeting last Monday night.
"So this will give organizers a chance to build on that success and to also allow the students to participate."
Members of town council unanimously approved the motion to allow for the temporary closure of Bridge Street, from Lorne to Main, on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. during the month of September.
Coun. Virgil Hammock, a frequent patron of the local farmers' market, said Bridge Street has continued to attract more vendors every week to sell everything from fresh-cut flowers to homemade bread, eggs and meat.
"It's been a tremendous success," he said.
Coun. Merrill Fullerton pointed out, however, that town staff with the public works and community economic development departments have been manning the barriers to keep the traffic out but insisted this practice should be reviewed this fall.
"It would be great if a group of volunteers would step forward to look after this," Fullerton said, noting that there are additional costs involved in bringing in town employees on their off-hours.