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- 🛑 Harbour bridge hits the brakes
🛑 Harbour bridge hits the brakes
SJ Today
August 20, 2025
Good morning Saint John! As the evenings cool off, is anyone else debating whether to fire up the BBQ or dig the crockpot out of the cupboard? 🍲
Here’s what’s cookin’ this morning:
Harbour Bridge shut down tonight 🌉
Peddling towards $50k rebuild at Rockwood Park 🚴♂️
Check out some of these Fringe shows 🎭
Let’s dig in!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
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NEWS NOTES
🚧 Harbour Bridge closing briefly tonight
Heads up, Saint John drivers: the Harbour Bridge will be fully closed for about 20 minutes on Wednesday, August 20, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Department of Transportation says the closure is for jacking operations.
🚲 Rockwood bike park gears up for a rebuild
The Rockwood Mountain Bike Skills Park has been a go-to spot for new riders for more than a decade, but after years of use and damaging Saint John weather, it’s ready for a refresh. Saint John Cycling is leading the charge on a full rebuild, and they’ve already started tearing into the work.
First built by volunteers 13 years ago, the park and its 1.5 km Flow Trail have helped countless kids and adults alike get comfortable on two wheels. So far, just under $10,000 has been raised with support from the City and local businesses. That’s been enough to kick-start demolition and design work with Dig In Trailbuilding & Design, but the group is still aiming to raise a total of $50,000.
“Saint John youth deserve a world-class beginner mountain biking zone that gets them stoked to be outdoors and ride bikes,” says lead trail designer Patrick Graves. He notes the new design will be built to last “for many years to come.”
⚡ Want to talk power bills? Here’s your chance
NB Power knows your hydro bill isn’t exactly light reading or light paying, so the province is hosting a public Q&A this this evening (Wednesday, August 20) at 6pm (online, no registration needed) as part of its big review of the utility.
The review team is a mix of energy execs, financial minds and governance pros. Their job is to figure out how to keep rates stable while NB Power juggles debt, aging equipment and the clean energy transition.
Translation: this is your chance to hear from the folks peeking under the hood and maybe even tell them what it feels like to pay that bill every month. Click in Wednesday evening to join the conversation.
*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’
Fundy Fringe Festival | August 19–23
Saint John’s biggest week of theatre, comedy, and creative productions is back with shows popping up across the uptown all week. Here are just a few to catch:
The Prick | Haven Music Hall – A dark comedy love story that starts with a girl and a cactus… and spirals into blood, battle lines, and big laughs.
The Case of the Deadly Alibi | BMO Studio Theatre – A fast-paced comedy about a scrappy detective agency that may or may not survive its first big case.
A Schooner Called Dart | Haven Music Hall – History, myth, and maritime music collide in this play about three captures, two commanders, and one unforgettable ship.
Tomilola: The Musical | BMO Studio Theatre – A sweeping coming-of-age story of love, power, and self-discovery that spans oceans with original music.
Library Escape Room
Yes, the Saint John Free Public Library has been hiding an escape room inside its stacks…but it won’t be there much longer. The clock is ticking, with just one more week to test your puzzle-solving skills before the challenge disappears. Gather a few friends, put your brains to work, and call 506-643-7224 to lock in your spot.
TODAY
Community Fall Expo | August 20
Browse sports, arts, and local programs for the whole family at Quispamsis qplex. Organizations will have info and may even take registrations on the spot. Drop by the McCluskey Brothers Conference Centre from 6:30pm–7:30pm to explore what your community has to offer.
Evenings Unwind with Art | August 20
This one’s all about ditching perfection and just playing with paper, scissors, and glue like when we were kids. The Saint John Free Public Library is hosting a paper flower–making session where supplies and guidance are all taken care of. It’s free, fun, and for anyone 16 and up. Things get snippy and creative at 6:15pm at the Main Branch.
THURSDAY
20th Annual BIG Book Sale – Early Bird Evening | August 21
Book lovers, get first dibs on the best finds at TD Station! This exclusive early bird event runs 5pm–8pm and only 100 tickets are available. Every single book will be on the tables when the doors open. All forms of payment accepted, and every dollar supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Saint John’s mission to bring mentors into the lives of kids who need them most.
FRIDAY
Loyalist House Yard Sale | August 22
Hunt for clothes, books, and household treasures while supporting the upkeep of Loyalist House on Union Street. The sale runs from 9am–1pm. Cash and card accepted, but note there’s no on-site parking.
*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 the answer. If you think you know where in town these words are, then hit reply and give it your best guess. We’ll reveal the location and
Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your local photos featured!
SIDE NOTES
Today’s Tides 🌊
Low Tide | 3:56 AM(Wed 20 August) | 1.16 m(3.81 ft) |
High Tide | 10:10 AM(Wed 20 August) | 7.16 m(23.48 ft) |
Low Tide | 4:21 PM(Wed 20 August) | 1.5 m(4.92 ft) |
High Tide | 10:33 PM(Wed 20 August) | 7.74 m(25.39 ft) |
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🎸 LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
THURSDAY, AUGUST 21
Five & Dime | Aaron MacDonald | 9pm
Oleary’s | Sarahtonein | 9pm
Rothesay Common | Craig Lang | 7pm
FRIDAY, AUGUST 22
Fusion East Taproom | Brandon McCluskey | 7pm
Hampton Brewing Co. | Southern Comfort Band | 7pm
Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who still talks about the tips at the AQ…or tries to recreate them. 🍛
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher