Main Street in Saint John was closed for three hours Thursday morning while hundreds of school children planted 40,000 marigolds and danced in the street.

Barry Ogden, founder of The Marigold Project, said this year's project was in honour of Cindy Fleming, a teacher who was involved in the project from its beginnings.

"Cindy loved children and flowers and bright colours. She passed away recently form cancer," said Ogden.

"She used to tell me the story that her kids were lined up at the door when she got there in the morning to check on their marigolds. Now that's real learning. That's kids having fun learning," he said.

​This year marked the project's 18th year, and over four million marigolds being planted. The Main Street site was one of 50. Other sites include St. Stephen and Sussex.