Blyth Outdoor Market finds new home near former CIBC - May 16, 2019

BY DENNY SCOTT

The Blyth Outdoor Market, the spiritual successor to the Blyth Artisan Market, will run Thursday nights in July and August this year.

The market started last year as a Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) initiative designed to retain visitors to the community, especially those attending shows at the Blyth Festival.

Headed by Blyth-area native Courtney Bachert, the market will run 4-8 p.m. and, for the third time in two years, be moved, this time to the village’s downtown.

This year, the market will be held beside the former CIBC building, across Queen Street from the Blyth post office. The market started in the alley behind the Blyth Legion and Blyth Centre for the Arts last year before being relocated to the Blyth Christian Reformed Church parking lot.

Bachert said she is hoping to attract 10 diverse vendors to create a “cozy space” at the market. She also plans to incorporate interactive activities to make the market more appealing.

“Live music and live art are part of my vision, with homemade food to enjoy on the spot, or fresh produce to bring home for later,” she said. 

Bachert said that ensuring the continuation of an open-air market in downtown Blyth was something in which she immediately wanted to be involved. She also said that the kind of market atmosphere she hopes to create will celebrate the best of what Blyth has to offer.

“I love being part of, first of all, a very artistically-minded neighbourhood,” she said. “I love that every where I look in Blyth I get to see bits of craftwork [like] beer, bread, theatrics, painting and pottery.”

She said that the market will recognize the talents of its vendors, which is a way to celebrate the unique abilities that people in and around Blyth have. 

“I think that a market is a great way to do this,” she said. “I’m hoping that the market will be a place where people gather and stay [and celebrate] fellowship.”