Cup Match anticipation at Court Street Market – The Royal Gazette

Updated: Jul 30, 2023 08:27 PM

One of the traders at the Court Street Market Cup Match Extravaganza (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Cup Match spirit was in the air for the latest Court Street market, where Alicia Virgil, selling attire and gear sporting the Cup Match colours, was doing a brisk trade ahead of this week’s Classic.

One of the traders at the Court Street Market Cup Match Extravaganza (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

“It’s been a steady flow of people with that spirit of camaraderie. Tonnes of St George’s is selling right now, so their supporters are out in full swing.”

Court Street Market Cup Match Extravaganza (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Ms Virgil added: “This is the time of year Bermudians fully come together and put any differences, political or whatever, aside.”

DJs and dance for the Court Street Market (Photograph by Jonathan Bell)

Event organiser and Court Street businessman Gary Augustus said the popular open-air market, in which a few blocks were closed to traffic from 1pm to 6pm, would return for the Labour Day holiday.

Mr Augustus added that organisers were hopeful they could find a way of introducing a night version of the market.

Court Street’s open-air market brought a healthy turnout of visitors as well as residents (Photograph by Jonathan Bell)

Community activist Dennis Bean said he looked forward to getting more involved in the event.

One of the traders at the Court Street Market Cup Match Extravaganza (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

“Years ago, Court Street had a name that could be called infamous or notorious because of some of the things going on — we could not get people to come here,” Mr Bean said.

The return of the Court Street Market (Photograph by Jonathan Bell)

“But this has always been a social street. It’s ideal for this type of thing, ideal for tourists and locals.”

He added: “The market is growing. I’ve spoken to the people responsible for this and I am going to get more involved. There’s another level to take it.”

Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, a former government minister, was out manning a stall for Elev8, an educational programme teaching how to trade in the foreign exchange markets.

“It was hot earlier, but as it gets later and cools off there will be a lot more people,” she said.

“It’s a great opportunity with this plethora of offering, and with Cup Match coming there’s a lot of that good feeling. Court Street has become a family environment.”

Susie Landy of Impact One feels the love at the Court Street Market (Photograph by Jonathan Bell)

At the corner, Susie Landy of Impact One was selling clothing.

“The market is a nice outing for people, and everybody’s having a nice time — I can’t wait for the live entertainment.”

Danielle Joell, of B Curley, was selling her all-natural hair and beauty products made on the island, as well as customised T-shirts.

“Pretty good” was her verdict.

“I was not hopeful,” she admitted. “But today is going really good. Maybe the buzz of people knowing it’s here is bringing more of them to the street.”