Good morning, Saint John! Man, it’s been hot lately. How hot? So hot that men in Japan are removing their body hair to stay cool, with laser appointments filling up as more guys trade office pants for shorts. We haven’t reached shave-your-calves temperatures here yet, but August still has time.
Here’s what else we’re mowin’ down this morning:
Thumbing the scales for a good time ⚖️
Don’t miss a Germain Street scoop 🍦
Finn’s shark tale goes coast-to-coast 🦈
🎂 A very happy birthday to Betty Poley, from your husband (and SJ Today subscriber) Ralph. Hope you have a great day Betty!
Have a fantastic weekend!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🎉 City Market 150 Celebration
Saint John City Market celebrates 150 years in 2026!
The Saint John City Market has spent 150 years bringing people together under one roof. On Saturday, the party spills out onto Germain Street.
“This is the party,” market manager Andrew MacDonald said. “This is the let’s-get-out-onto-the-street and support these local vendors and see these local bands and entertainers.”
The day begins with face painting, Zap Magic, a musical instrument petting zoo and other family activities, then rolls into an evening of live music, food, drinks and a beer garden. Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound, The Olympic Symphonium, Gifthorse, The Last Call, Josh Bravener, Mike Bravener, Travis Gidney and Jedi of Funk are among the performers.
Vendors inside the Market will stay open until 8 p.m., when the attention turns fully to the street.
Saturday’s street party is just the opening round. Andrew said a dressier indoor gala is also planned for later this fall, giving the Market two very different ways to celebrate its 150th.
There will also be an event on the Market’s actual October 1 anniversary, new murals and even a reenactment of its old piepowder court, once used to settle disputes such as accusations that vendors were thumbing the scales. Apparently Market drama predates Facebook by quite a bit.
For now, Andrew just wants Saint Johners to show up, enjoy their Market and celebrate the first century and a half properly.
“I’m hoping people come in and cut a rug, burn off some energy and just get together and celebrate 150 years,” he said, “before we get ahead of 150 more.”
🚧 Germain Street shops still open
The Feel Good Store, Bella’s Ice Cream, Brick City Barbers, Obscurity and Good Fibrations are all still accessible today despite the northbound closure on Germain Street between King and Grannan streets.
The road is closed to through traffic from 9 am to 4 pm for major building renovations, with sidewalk directional signage in place.
🏆 Top clicks of the week
Monday - Kid named Finn saves shark
Tuesday - City wants your thoughts on next budget
Wednesday - City report on new development at Landsdowne
Thursday - New supportive housing for vulnerable youth
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
WHAT WE’RE DOING THIS WEEKEND
Founders Cup | August 21-22
Canada’s Junior B National Lacrosse Championship heads into its final days at TD Station, with the country’s top teams battling toward Saturday’s national final. Games run throughout each day, with day passes available online.
Steven Page | August 21
Former Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page returns to Saint John for a waterfront performance at The Boardwalk beginning at 8pm. New Brunswick artist Ella Campbell opens the show.
Annual Free Fair | August 22
The Annual Free Fair takes over King Square from 12-4pm with free food, clothing, entertainment, lessons, mending, repairs and other services shared by community members for community members. Admission is free.
City Market 150th Anniversary Celebration | August 22
The Saint John City Market celebrates its 150th anniversary with a huge Germain Street party from 3-10pm featuring Roxy & The Underground Soul Sound, The Olympic Symphonium, Gifthorse, The Last Call and more. There’ll also be family activities, face painting, magic, a musical instrument petting zoo and a beer garden. Admission is free.
The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration | August 22
AREA 506 hosts Saint John’s only official screening of The Tragically Hip’s unforgettable final concert, exactly 10 years after the band’s hometown farewell in Kingston. The free, all-ages screening runs from 7-11pm at the Waterfront Container Village, and guests are encouraged to bring a chair.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY? 📸
📍 On Wednesday we shared a pic of a mountain range from here in town and asked where it’s located…the answer is the west side on the side of popular take out
Pho Hung Van on Main Street West. Shout out to Eddy D. being the only one to know the spot!
Got some cool local pics in your camera roll? Hit reply to share them with us and have them featured here!
SIDE NOTES
🌅 6:32am | 🌇 8:21pm
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 00:59 AM(Fri 21 August) | 1.89 m(6.2 ft) |
High Tide | 7:11 AM(Fri 21 August) | 6.54 m(21.46 ft) |
Low Tide | 1:20 PM(Fri 21 August) | 2.21 m(7.26 ft) |
High Tide | 7:34 PM(Fri 21 August) | 6.89 m(22.61 ft) |
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Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - Thanks for reading SJ Today! If you found it useful, share it with someone who’d wax ecstatic about a day in the life around these parts 😆!
-Geoff Walsh - Publisher