🤞 Another owner, another promise

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Good morning, Saint John! A couple of weeks ago, SJ Today welcomed subscriber number 5,000, Rob Reicker, so we surprised him with a $50 gift card to his favourite locally owned restaurant. We’re still growing, but wanted to pause and thank you for reading, sharing and letting us crash your inbox each morning. We love waking up with you and celebrating everything we love about living here.

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Happy Thursday!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Turns out, that's exactly what's up for grabs this summer. 

The Summer of History campaign is back, encouraging New Brunswickers to get out and explore more than 110 museums, heritage sites and galleries across the province. Visit a participating location, grab the contest code while you're there, and you'll be entered for weekly prizes plus the grand prize: free admission to participating sites throughout 2027 and a $500 gas card. 

Whether it's a place you've driven past for years or somewhere you've never heard of, you've got another reason to pull over this summer.

🏬 Brunswick Square wants back in

Brunswick Square’s new owners say they’re ready to spend money and offer attractive leasing deals to bring its long-empty retail space back to life. Halifax-based Clarke Inc. acquired former owner Ravelin REIT two months ago and is prioritizing roughly 150,000 square feet of retail space.

In an interview published this week, the company said it’s exploring everything from labs and medical facilities to educational spaces, a library and other community uses.

One familiar Uptown wish remains unlikely. Sobeys and Loblaw have reportedly been approached about a grocery store, but neither believes enough people live Uptown yet to support one. Nothing is locked in, but Clarke says it’s prepared to invest heavily when the right occupants emerge.

🏀 A little help with registration

Applications are now open for P.R.O. Kids funding toward fall activities beginning between September 1 and December 31. Families in Saint John, Rothesay, Quispamsis and Grand Bay-Westfield can apply until August 15, but funding is first come, first served. Operated by the City of Saint John, P.R.O. Kids helps eligible families cover all or part of the registration fees for children ages two to 18. 

The program supports everything from hockey, soccer and swimming to dance, martial arts, theatre, music lessons, rock climbing and more. Families choose an organized activity, apply confidentially based on financial need and, once approved, the program pays the organization directly. More than 20,000 Greater Saint John children have received support since P.R.O. Kids began.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW

THURSDAY

Summer Astronomy Series | July 23
Spend Thursday evening looking well beyond the usual Saint John scenery during the Summer Astronomy Series. The skyward fun begins at 6pm in Saint John.

Teens Intro to Acrylics | July 23
Young artists can get comfortable with acrylics during a beginner-friendly workshop starting at 6pm. Teens will explore colour mixing, brushwork, composition and layering before creating an original canvas of their own. No experience is needed and all materials are included.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream | July 23 to 25
Loyalist City Shakespeare turns Place Fort La Tour into an enchanted forest for four final nights of Shakespeare’s comedy. Star-crossed lovers, mischievous fairies and one spectacularly confused group of amateur actors take over the harbourfront at 7:30pm nightly, with the historic fort and evening sky doing a fair bit of the set design.

FRIDAY

Fundy Faceoff | July 24
Twelve drag artists enter, but only one leaves with the crown. The Fundy Faceoff brings a full lip-sync smackdown to 201 Union Street beginning at 10pm as part of Saint John Pride.

Glow Night at Broken Pieces Rage Room | July 24
Broken Pieces Rage Room is dimming the lights and turning up the glow for a Friday night smashing session. Glow Night begins at 5pm in Saint John, giving you a bright and slightly destructive way to shake off the week.

SATURDAY

Right Good Community Yard Sale | July 25
The Saint John Public Gardens are going full 1998 from 10am to 2pm, with more than 40 yard sale tables, vintage and pre-loved clothing, books, home décor, plants, collectibles and handmade goods. Right Good is adding coffee, food, crafts, interactive booths and plenty of ’90s and 2000s tunes. Bring a blanket, grab a lemonade and prepare to root through some excellent stuff. Rain date is July 26.

Musquash Paddle | July 25
Celebrate 20 years of the Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area with a guided paddle through one of the Bay of Fundy’s most remarkable ecosystems. The group launches from 175 Shipyard Road at 8:30am, with wildlife, tidal landscapes and a close-up look at the protected estuary along the way.

Youth Interview Preparation and Job Readiness Workshop | July 25
Young job seekers can sharpen their interview skills during a free workshop for ages 15 to 30 beginning at 9am. Participants will practise communicating with confidence, preparing for interviews and making a stronger first impression. It takes place at 1 Market Square, Suite W301, with advance registration required.

Donation Drive for the Free Fair | July 25
The Saint John Community Coalition is stocking up for its annual Free Fair with a donation drive from noon to 3pm in the Pulse parking lot at 251 Wentworth Street. They’re collecting hygiene products, non-perishable food, clothing, school supplies, pet items and other essentials to distribute free to community members on Aug. 22.

Saint John Pride Parade | July 25
Saint John Pride’s biggest and brightest procession takes over the city Saturday afternoon. The annual Pride Parade begins at 1pm, bringing plenty of colour, celebration and community spirit along Water Street.

North Pro presents Harbour Echo | July 25
North Pro Wrestling returns to Saint John for an outdoor showdown at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village. Harbour Echo begins at 8pm, bringing the bumps, battles and big personalities right to the waterfront.

PRISMATIC on The Boardwalk | July 25
Canadian dance-pop star Rêve headlines a massive Saint John Pride celebration on The Boardwalk from 7pm to 11pm. The lineup also features Canada’s Drag Race stars Eboni La’Belle, PM and Dulce, plus DJs, drag and more than a dozen local performers. General admission is free, while paid beer garden and VIP passes include licensed areas and premium viewing.

SUNDAY

Chroma Supper Club | July 26
Saint John Pride slows things down for a meal together at Chroma Supper Club. The Sunday gathering begins at 5pm at the ChromaNB HQ in the South end.

Icons Only 2 Pride Closing Show | July 26
Saint John Pride closes out its celebrations with an all-star lineup of drag kings and queens from New Brunswick and Toronto. Icons Only 2 begins at 7pm at Five and Dime, 40 Grannan Street, with one last big burst of Pride before the week officially wraps.

MONDAY

Waldschütz Brothers at Trinity Church | July 27
The Waldschütz Brothers take over Trinity Anglican Church for the final Monday Music Night of July. The free concert runs from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at 115 Charlotte Street, with donations welcomed and split between the musicians and the church. Everyone is welcome, and entry is through the Charlotte Street doors.

🎟️ Looking for something else? Browse all of this week’s local events.

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📸 Van Hoffman | 📍 Harbour Bridge

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher