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- 🛳🛳 Double the tourists, double the fun
🛳🛳 Double the tourists, double the fun
SJ Today
August 27, 2025
In partnership with:
Good morning Saint John! You may not be Taylor, and we may not be Travis, but we’ve got a big question… will you say yes to following us on Instagram?
Here’s the deal this morning:
Viaduct is gonna suck on the way home 🛑
Forest Hills needs to fill up 🪣
Here’s what the city is spending on in 2026 💸
Better put on a fresh pot!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
SPONSORED
🍷 Sip, Sample, Repeat…It’s Back.
Sip & Savour is back Saturday, Sept. 27 and it’s sure to be one of the best nights out this fall.
20+ local beer, wine, and spirit vendors (and lots of non-alcoholic options too) will be pouring inside Market Square, with raffles, a lively crowd, and both silent and live auctions full of experiences and one-of-a-kind finds. If you like good drinks, good company, and a ton of fun, this is your night.
Tickets are $75 and include access to all tastings from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Want to kick things off early? VIP gets you in at 7pm, a private table, exclusive tastings, charcuterie, and a $75 tax receipt.
And the best part is…every ticket sold helps improve life for the residents at Rocmaura.
🎟️ Get yours here!
NEWS NOTES
🚧 Harbour Bridge Hack Needed
Heads up, drivers: starting Wednesday, Aug. 27, the westbound ramp from the Main Street Viaduct onto Route 1 will be closed 7am–7pm for three days. If you’re leaving uptown and aiming for the Harbour Bridge, you’ll need another route…Garden Street/Paradise Row or Crown Street/One Mile are your best bets. The ramp will reopen overnight, but some annoying confusion.
🚴 Quispam’s Parks Are Back
Hammond River Park and Millennium Cycle Bike Park reopened yesterday, so Quispamsis locals can hit the trails, stretch their legs, or ride their bikes again. The fire ban is still in effect, so no grills or pits, but plenty of fresh air and room to roam. Parks are open just in time to enjoy a few more bike rides before school starts next week.
🚢🚢 Double cruise day
Today the Enchanted Princess and Norwegian Gem dock, bringing 6,000+ potential tourists into the city. If you spot any on Germain Street, see if you can convince them that rolling down Grannan Street is a local pastime.
💧 Forest Hills, Better Fill Those Jugs
Heads up, Forest Hills…your taps are taking the night off next weekend. As part of the McAllister Drive Watermain Replacement Project, Saint John Water will shut things down Friday, Sept. 5 at 9pm until Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9am. About 800 properties will be without water, so stash some in advance and double-check those taps.
Once water flows back, a boil order kicks in until the Department of Health gives the all-clear. That means boiling for drinking, cooking, and even brushing your teeth (yes, seriously). Fire hydrants in the area will be affected too, so Saint John Fire is on alert.
Want to see if your property’s on the list? Use the city’s interactive map here.
📊 Saint John’s $63M Capital Budget Wishlist
Saint John’s 2026 capital budget lines up roughly $63 million for projects and contains a mix of shiny upgrades and practical fixes. Here’s what the city has put in its shopping cart for next year.
Some of the highlights include:
$2.44M - two new transit buses and replacement of several bus shelters.
$2.36M - upgrades at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre (in time for the 2029 Canada Games).
$2M - new roundabout at Loch Lomond Road & the Airport Arterial.
$1.83M - Harbour Passage extension along Riverview Drive.
$1.73M - design services for raising the Courtenay Bay Causeway (flood prep / supports future housing-ready work).
$1.50M - Phase 1 of Howes Lake landfill closure.
$1.36M - Phase 2 upgrades at Rainbow Park.
$1M - purchase four new sidewalk plows.
$1M - toward replacement of an existing fire ladder truck.
$13.6M+ - road reconstruction across the city (Charlotte St., Lansdowne Ave., Rope Walk Rd., Canterbury St. and more).
About 40% of the bill is expected from other levels of government, the city plans to borrow roughly $9M, and the rest comes from reserves and general funds.
💬 Your Opinion, Please!
The city’s 2026 capital budget wishlist clocks in at $63M with everything from new buses to a Harbour Passage extension. Do you think these are the right priorities for Saint John, or would you spend the money differently?After you vote, tell us in the comments what you think is missing. |
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
SPONSORED
Time to Shine! ☀️
Your business deserves the spotlight. Advertise in our newsletter and be part of the morning buzz!
EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
Today’s events come straight from our readers. If you’ve got an event coming up, be sure to send it our way!
🏒 P.R.O. Kids Gear Grab is collecting equipment
Got gently used hockey gear gathering dust? P.R.O. Kids is looking for shoulder pads, shin guards, pants, gloves, skates, sticks, and goalie equipment to restock their inventory ahead of the September 21 Gear Grab. Give your gear a second life with a kid who’ll put it to good use!
Donate or arrange a pickup: email [email protected]
Full list of needed gear: Click here
Saint John Voices | August 31
Writers and readers will gather at Write Cup Café in Market Square from 6:30-8:30pm for an open mic of short stories, poetry, book excerpts, and more. Sign up starts at 6pm, with seven minutes per reader. This month’s featured writer is Chuck Bowie, a #1 bestselling NB author of the Donovan: Thief For Hire suspense-thriller series. The event is free, welcoming, and open to all.
Connected for Impact | September 4
Business owners and leaders from across NB will gather at the Saint John Arts Centre from 4-7pm for two high-energy panels. Topics include sustainability as a competitive edge and research-driven solutions to the productivity crunch. Admission is free, but space is limited, so reserving a ticket in advance is a smart move.
The Strategic Newcomer Book Launch | September 6
Isaac O. Ebhohimhen shares his journey from international student to author in The Strategic Newcomer, a practical and heartfelt guide for newcomers who want more than survival. Join him at Irving Field House from 2–4 PM to hear his story, pick up tips for thriving in a new country, and grab a signed copy of the book.
Germain Street Open | October 18
The legendary urban golf tourney is back for its 31st year, taking over Uptown homes, offices, and businesses in support of L’Arche Saint John and its Creative Connections art studio. Teams of 4–5 will dress up, grab putters, and play through Uptown’s quirkiest “holes.” Can’t enter a team? Support one by donating to their fundraising page instead. Full details and registration online.
*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 ARE WE? 📸
Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John region. Where are we? Only true locals will know. This faded ad mural is on a brick building uptown…but can you name the street, intersection, or any other detail that pins it down? Hit reply with your guess. We’ll reveal the answer and correct guesses in Friday’s issue.
Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!
SIDE NOTES
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 3:05 AM(Wed 27 August) | 7.38 m(24.21 ft) |
Low Tide | 9:17 AM(Wed 27 August) | 1.35 m(4.43 ft) |
High Tide | 3:25 PM(Wed 27 August) | 7.4 m(24.28 ft) |
Low Tide | 9:38 PM(Wed 27 August) | 1.42 m(4.66 ft) |
Reach Readers Daily!
Need to get the word out? Our baseline ads give you the perfect spot to connect with Saint John readers. With your message right next to the latest local buzz, it’s a great way to make an impact. Let's chat about getting you featured here!*
*indicates sponsored content
🎸 LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
WEDNESDAY
Vito’s KV, Rothesay | FourOneSix | 7pm-9pm
Shannex, Parkland in the Valley | Eddie Chase and the Graffiti Four | 2pm-4pm
Grand Bay Unity Park | Snacktime Supervisors | 7pm
THURSDAY
Rothesay Common Stage | Sorcha’s Gunn | 7pm
Vito’s KV, Rothesay | Joan Kennedy Trio | 7pm-9pm
Fusion East Taproom | Influences by Port City Junk | 7pm
Portland United Church | Four of Us Plus One | 7pm
FRIDAY
Vito’s KV | Sheepdogs, Sass Jordan + More | 5pm
Fusion East Taproom | Birthday Open Mic | 7pm
Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone with a sparkly ring. 💍
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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*Today’s web-based header image courtesy of Envision SJ Media Hub.