Annual themed event brings together artisans, families and visitors from across the province
A rough estimate of nearly 1,500 people attended Lady Smith Manor’s annual summer market in Dorchester over the weekend, drawing more visitors than the village’s population for two days of local shopping, entertainment and family activities.
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Held on the grounds of the historic 1840 Georgian manor, this year’s market embraced a Mary Poppins theme, transforming the property into Cherry Tree Lane with themed decorations, activities and attractions for visitors of all ages.
Myriam Andrews organized the event, and co-owns the Lady Smith Manor. I spoke to her late Saturday afternoon.
“It’s the end of our first day. It’s been an amazing day,” Andrews said. “Perfect weather, not too windy, and Mary Poppins didn’t fly away, ’cause she’s flying through the sky above our tents.”
A market built around community
Visitors wandered through approximately 25 artisan booths featuring handcrafted goods from across New Brunswick while children enjoyed Bert’s chalk corner, a scavenger hunt and kite decorating. Others relaxed beneath the manor’s mature oak trees, visited a Cherry Tree Lane photo booth, enjoyed live music, indoor and outdoor options, plus the Thirsty Whippet Beer Garden.
Andrews said the atmosphere is what makes the market special.
“We’ve had a fantastic turnout,” she said. “It’s been really nice to see people sitting outside with blankets under the oak trees. It’s just really very great to see people come together.”
Vendors return year after year
Many of the artisans travel from communities throughout New Brunswick, with several returning every year since the market began seven years ago.
“We have some as far, way north of Fredericton, who come down,” Andrews said, “They’ve been with us for the whole seven years, which has been really great.”
She said offering visitors something unique has become an important part of the event’s success.
“It’s really nice to have a diverse (range of) products that allow the guests to come and experience some really nice and perhaps unusual or unique things that they perhaps may not have seen before.”
Growing alongside the manor
The summer market has grown steadily alongside the restoration of Lady Smith Manor as a destination for community events.
Last year’s Greatest Showman-themed market had been expected to attract just over 1,000 visitors. This year’s attendance was estimated at nearly 1,500.
“We’re gonna be close to 1,500 for the weekend,” Andrews said. “Today we probably had 600, 700, would be my guess.”
Planning is already underway for the manor’s annual Christmas market. Andrews said last year’s holiday event attracted more than 2,000 visitors with another new theme planned for this year.
“I know what the theme is gonna be,” she said. “All I can say, it’s gonna be a really good theme.”
About the reporter
Clinton Davis is a PT journalist/producer with CHMA News covering Tantramar (including Sackville, Dorchester, Port Elgin, Midgic and surrounding communities). He reports on municipal government, public safety, community events, local business, regional issues and ideas across Tantramar.
