Big year coming up for Saint John’s City Market
Saint John’s City Market will mark 150 years in its current location in 2026.
To mark the anniversary, a program of cultural, historical, artistic and infrastructure initiatives has been developed.
Common Council received a report during its final regular meeting of the year.
The report, received by council for information, laid out planned activities leading up to the official anniversary on Oct. 1.
Some of the activities will include a summer party, historical walking tours, multicultural programming, a theatrical performance reviving the historic Pie Powder Court tradition and an anniversary gala.
Several infrastructure improvements are also planned, including a new raised seating platform that will double as a stage area for public events, and construction of new kiosks.
The Hooper Timepiece, which used to sit in front of Market Square, will be installed in the market as well, situated in the centre of the market.
A time vault ceremony will seal selected items for reopening on the market’s 200th anniversary in 2076.
It’s anticipated the celebrations will boost businesses within the market, as well as in the uptown area.
A new building for the market was first considered by Common Council in 1874. The firm McKean & Fairweather won the $200 prize for the best proposal, and construction began on July 20, 1875.
The market has been in continuous operation since Oct. 1, 1876, making the oldest public market in Canada.
