Hundreds of music fans flocked to Sackville on the weekend to enjoy the diverse line-up of bands and artists that took to the stage and the street during the fourth annual Sappyfest.
The festival, which drew people in from all across the country - from Whitehorse and Vancouver, Toronto, Quebec, and the Maritimes - as well as the Eastern United States, is fast becoming one of the premier events held in the community every summer.
"It was a complete success from our accounts," said Sappyfest organizer Paul Henderson. "Everything went pretty smoothly . . . and the audience response and the turnout was beyond our expectations."
Henderson estimates the weekend events attracted about 1,500 fans and said the festival has grown exponentially since its inception. He believes that's mostly due to the friendly, congenial atmosphere displayed by everyone - from the volunteers to the businesspeople, the fans and the musicians - throughout the weekend.
"The comraderie that is shared by everyone just kind of gives the whole event a communal glow," he said.
Henderson also points out that word continues to spread every year about the festival because of its reputation as a "unique, exciting event" with a "pretty amazing line-up" of bands.
And no one is happier with Sappyfest's success than downtown business owners.
Cathy Keeling, owner of Bridge Street CafÉ, said Sappyfest weekend is fast becoming her busiest one of the year.
Last year, Sappyfest moved from its Lorne Street parking lot location to its new site on Bridge Street, where the road is blocked off with a huge tent and beer garden.
With the festival events happening right outside her front door, Keeling said her coffee shop is a very busy one on the New Brunswick Day weekend.
"It's a huge boost for Sackville," she said.
Robert Lyon, chair of the downtown revitalization committee, agreed with Keeling and estimates the festival drops a minimum of $250,000 into the local economy. He said not only are the festival-goers purchasing a weekend pass for Sappyfest, but they are also doling out dough for accommodations, meals, gas and merchandise.
"It's just a good story all around," said Lyon, owner of a graphics and print studio on Main Street. "It infuses a lot into the community."
In its fourth year, the festival has seen tremendous growth, said Lyon, which benefits all local businesses based in tourism or customer service.
Lyon sells screen-printed merchandise during the festival and is astounded by the sales growth he has experienced in the past two years.
"I hope that others will see what a golden opportunity we have here . . . and I think that the more businesses support this, the better it is for everyone."
Lyon said he doesn't know of another single event that draws so many people into town from outside the community. And even better is that, once the festival is over, these people are heading home and telling friends and family about the "great time they had in Sackville."
"It's the best form of advertising we could get," he said.
Sappyfest, held in conjunction with the fifth annual O.K. Quoi?! Arts Festival, brought in a line-up of about 55 bands for the festivities as well as the works of more than 50 artists.
Halifax rockers and Juno award winners Wintersleep headlined the festival, and performed as the final act Sunday evening. Also on tap were Eric's Trip, Ladyhawk, The Gertrudes, Attack In Black, Julie Doiron, Old Man Luedecke, and many more.
Keeling said she thinks the organizers do an amazing job of bringing in a high calibre of unique musical performers and that's what attracts people to the festival.
"They really have a knack of bringing in the next big act, the up-and-coming musicians," she said.
Henderson said his e-mail inbox on Tuesday was filled with dozens of congratulatory and thank-you messages from "lots of happy folks."
"Everybody just has such a good time and that's what it's all about," he said.
