😙 Bec moi, chu Acadien

Good morning Saint John! It’s August 15, officially Acadian Day in New Brunswick since 1982! Today we celebrate the music, food, and traditions that make Acadian culture so vibrant…and while I’m not Acadian, I did spend a lot of time in south shore Nova Scotia as a kid and had a killer tee shirt that said ‘Bec Moi, chu Acadien’! 🇫🇷⭐

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

• Take a guess at when not to choose the bridge ⏱️

• You top stories of the week 📈

• Country band announces SJ date 🤠

Let’s get it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🎰 Who’s ready for a round of Harbour Bridge roulette?

The Saint John Harbour Bridge will close completely for about 20 minutes sometime between 6pm and 7am on Monday evening, for jacking operations. The Department of Transportation says delays are expected, so plan your route accordingly…or take your chances and see if you hit the jackpot.

🌟  Saint John first in Canadian supply chain honour

Dr. Don Patterson, long-time UNB Saint John MBA instructor, has become the first New Brunswicker to earn Canada’s top supply chain designation, the FSCMP. Over 30 years, he’s managed projects across shipyards, oil refineries, and mining operations in northern BC. Patterson brings that experience to the classroom and volunteers locally, helping students launch careers. Supply chains touch more of our lives than we realize…“I brought a sandwich for lunch today,” he said. “The supply chain for that sandwich begins in a farmer’s field.”

🏆 Top clicks of the week

Monday - Rothesay approves massive new development
Tuesday - Third Shift starts tonight, use this guide
Wednesday - Take the Saint John East services survey
Thursday - Free Huntsman Marine passes available at library

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

🎸 James Barker Band hits Imperial Theatre

Country fans, mark your calendars: James Barker Band rolls into Saint John for their only New Brunswick stop on the Buckle Up Tour, Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 pm. From dive bars to chart-topping No. 1s and hundreds of millions of streams, JBB has built a decade-long rise to the top of Canadian country. Special guest Kalsey Kulyk opens with bright, heartfelt country vibes. Tickets start at $50–$65.

Here’s what we’re up to this weekend!

Acadian Heritage Festival | August 15- 17
Three days of family-friendly fun celebrate the rich history of Acadian communities. From 10am-4pm each day, enjoy live early-century flute music, historic food tastings like warm bread, molasses, and meat pies, plus pop-up reenactments of Nova Hollandia and Campagnie Franches de la Marine. Nicolas Pellerin and les grands Hurleurs perform August 16th, 2-4pm. Free admission and event parking at Fort La Tour Long Wharf washroom building all weekend long.

Third Shift | August 15–17
Uptown comes alive this weekend with Third Shift: Revolve, a free festival of interactive art, performances, projections, and workshops. Explore night-time exhibitions, community fairs, artist talks, and even a karaoke after-party, rain or shine. Get moving, thinking, and connecting with the city in fresh ways.
Full guide: Third Shift Guide
Map: Installation Map

Aussie Rules Tournament | August 16
For those who’ve never seen Aussie Rules Football, you’re in for a treat. It’s football at its most dynamic…non-stop action, big kicks, and a pace that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat! Saturday noon-5pm at Canada Games Stadium, the Saint John Bulldogs will host AFL Atlantic Round 4 with visiting teams Halifax Dockers, Sydney Giants, Cornwall Tigers, and the Maine Cats on their first-ever trip to SJ.

Community Free Fair | August 16
Queen Square turns into a hub of generosity and good vibes for the first annual Community Free Fair. Everything is free…from clothes, food, and household goods to services like item repair, haircuts, health check-ins, tax help, workshops, and more. It’s a chance for everyone to come together, share, and support one another. Whether you’re looking to give or receive, you won’t want to miss this.

Saint John West Days Saturday | August 16
Check out Family Day activities as Carleton Community Centre hosts a fun-filled afternoon from 12-4pm with inflatables, BBQ, face painting, henna, axe throwing, llamas, ATV & bike displays, a 360 photobooth, live music from Delbert Worden & band, Old Skool, and Radio Factory, plus Carleton All Star Cheerleading and more! 

Saint John Pride Parade | August 16
The 23rd annual parade kicks off at 1pm from Area 506, filling the waterfront with colour, music, and celebration. Bring your best rainbow gear and cheer as the procession winds through the city. Free to attend.

Got an Event to Share?

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LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸

📍 On Wednesday we snapped this pic of the Labour Bell near the Carleton Community Centre, lower West. This bell represents two bells previously located at Market Slip between 1849-1870 and 1870-1921. It seems there are many similar bells around town as we had many guesses, but only Bill G and Edger D got it right!

Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

Today’s Tides 🌊 

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who loves their Acadian roots!

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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