Fredericton Market (Boyce Farmers' Market)

One of my absolute favourite things about living in Fredericton is visiting the Fredericton Market (more properly the Boyce Farmers' Market, as there is now a market on the North Side, which will get its own blog post). I's a lot of fun to head out on a Saturday morning and join the crowds-the market atmosphere is always a lively one-for some breakfast, lunch, crafts, or produce. The market also has a variety of unique shops-food vendors sell different interesting creations or flavours, and there's a lot of good snack food to grab and munch on as you walk around. It's also a great spot to find gifts and souvenirs. So, without further ado, here are some tips for Saturday mornings at the market When The market is open from 6 AM to 1PM, but it will be a different experience depending on when you go. Typically, if you want to avoid crowds and line-ups, and ensure that some of the more popular items will still be available, you should go early-say, before nine. Around nine or ten AM the market gets more crowded, as families, tourists, and people who just aren't early risers (guilty!) get out of our beds and wander down. While the market is open until one PM, I find that vendors start running out of things or even closing up by noon. Crowd levels vary, of course, with the weather and the season. Getting there/Parking Parking is perhaps the trickiest bit about going to the market. If you don't arrive early, you will have to circle the block for a spot-and don't be surprised if you wind up having to walk five or six blocks. If you're near the downtown area, I would recommend just walking, as you can avoid the headache of parking, save the environment a little, and enjoy some exercise. The Market is located on George street, just a few blocks East of Regent St. Direction of walking People generally tend to walk around the building in a clockwise manner, if you're facing the building from the street where the food vendors are. Food Food is the best part of the market, I think. Inside the building, you'll find a variety of baked goods and butcher shops. Outside is where the take-out style food is. There's also a restaurant in the middle of the building. Here are a few of the places you could keep an eye out for: FrostedFrosted is a cupcake vendor, just inside the market from the parking lot. The cupcakes are flavourful and moist, many with delicious butter cream frosting on top, and under $3 each. There are a variety of interesting flavours-get there early if you want to have all the choices! The Bundle HutBundles are an interesting creation, essentially similar to a large egg roll stuffed with a variety of different flavours-donair, teriyaki chicken, apple pie etc. They're a great snack to eat while walking through the market. Samosa Delite and Yummy SamosasAs a bit of an interesting phenomenon, a modified version of the samosa has become very, very popular in parts of southern NB. Samosa Delite and Yummy Samosa are the two main places to try NB's Samosas at the market-both have their own large following, so you'll have to grab a samosa at each to decide. Samosas are reasonably priced-a little cheaper if you buy by the dozen or half dozen-and come in a variety of flavours, including vegetable, beef, and chicken. They are also available mild (which is to say, not spicy at all) or hot. Note that lines can get quite long. Richie's BBQRichie's is a food truck selling a variety of foods, but my favourite is their donair. For those who haven't tried a donair yet, Richie's is a great place to do so, selling one of my favourites. A number of other foods are also available to try. Two vendors sell freshly squeezed orange juice at reasonable prices (one of my market favourites). Several vendors sell a variety of baked goods-you'll find everything from squares to berliners here- hot dogs, noodles, crêpes, and lobster rolls are all available outside. Produce and meat Those looking for produce and meat will find a variety of vendors. Most produce is sold outside, with several farms being present depending on what's in season-this is a great place to find fiddle heads, an NB specialty, and also local blueberries. Inside there are several vendors selling a wide range of meat, as well as a large fishmonger (you can get all your maritime favourites here as well, including clams, scallops and lobster, season dependent). In addition to produce and meats, there's a large cheese shop near one of the building's entrances, and a small shop selling homemade pastas.