🔭 Heads up this weekend

Good morning Saint John! Twelve employees just set a world record by keeping balloons in the air for a minute. If that’s considered work, we’re extremely available this week…🎈

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Here’s to a tremendous Thursday!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

Faces of Fusion returns to the Imperial Theatre on Friday, February 6, and it’s shaping up to be one of those nights that reminds you why we love it here!

Hosted by Fusion Saint John, the evening celebrates five award winners making a real impact in the community, with food, a silent auction, and plenty of time to bump into familiar faces.

SJ Today is proud to be a supporter of Fusion SJ and to present this year’s New Johner Award. Even better, Publisher Geoff Walsh returns as host for the fourth year… proof that if you show up enough times, they let you keep the mic.

Check out the full list of local finalists, grab your tickets, and come cheer loudly for people that make our city and region an amazing place to live.

🚨 Helmets off, gloves on

If you thought February hockey was slowing down, think again. The Saint John Sea Dogs are hosting the 2026 Battle of the Badges, a first-responder hockey tournament that brings police, firefighters, and sheriffs from across New Brunswick under one roof at TD Station. It runs Friday, Feb. 6 through Sunday, Feb. 8, with bragging rights and community pride very much on the line.

Eight teams are split into two pools, with Saint John Fire and Police sharing the ice alongside crews from Fredericton, Codiac, Oromocto, Kennebecasis Valley, and the provincial sheriffs. Pool play leads to semifinals, with the championship game set for Sunday at 1:30pm.

Best part is for fans…tournament passes are free if you’re already heading to the Sea Dogs games that Friday or Saturday. Hockey, community, and a few friendly rivalries. Hard to beat that.

⚽️The fields are calling

If your group chat has started casually dropping phrases like “spring schedule” and “who’s got the cones,” here’s your official sign that winter’s grip is loosening. The City has opened applications for the 2026 spring outdoor sports fields and indoor arena floor time, which is basically the municipal version of seeing a robin. Outdoor spring season runs April 1 to May 14, with availability at Emera Turf and select multipurpose fields, while indoor arena floor bookings stretch from April 13 right through September 18. Translation: lots of time to dust off the gear, argue about jerseys, and pretend this is the year everyone stretches properly. Applications and details are online at saintjohn.ca under Parks and Recreation. Spring planning season is officially underway.

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Weekend Preview

THURSDAY

Cultivating Connections Film Screening | January 22
A free community movie night celebrating farmers and landowners who help protect nature. The evening includes screenings of Homes on the Range and Guardians of the Grasslands, plus a local highlight from Passekeag Holdings. Free snacks included. Runs 6–8pm at Hampton High School.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour | January 22
The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns to Saint John with an evening of jaw-dropping outdoor films from around the globe. Expect adventure, storytelling, and serious inspiration. Presented by River & Trail. Show starts at 7pm at the Imperial Theatre.

FRIDAY

Winter Night Sky Telescope Viewing | January 23
Members of the New Brunswick Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and the Saint John Astronomy Club are hosting an early evening of stargazing at the YMCA’s Glenn Carpenter Centre. Expect views of the Moon’s craters, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter and its moons, plus winter favourites like the Orion Nebula and the Seven Sisters. Starts at 6pm at 135 Glenn Carpenter Lane, with a weather backup planned for January 24.

Celestial Get-Together in Fundy St. Martins | January 23
A winter stargazing night built around a rare alignment of the Moon, Saturn, and Neptune. Cliff Valley Astronomy will be on site with telescopes to guide the experience. Runs 6:30–8:30pm at the amphitheatre in Fundy St. Martins. Storm date is January 24.

SATURDAY

Circus Incognitus | January 24
An internationally loved one-man circus comedy featuring Jamie Adkins. This family-friendly afternoon show blends juggling, clowning, and physical comedy into something clever, chaotic, and genuinely funny. Show starts at 2pm at the Imperial Theatre.

Stone Church Gala – A Light in the Winter | January 24
The Stone Church hosts its third annual gala in support of the Stone Church Conservation Project. The evening includes hors d’oeuvres, a full meal, and live entertainment, with Bob McVicar and Julia Wright emceeing. Starts at 5:30pm on Carleton Street.

Night Out with Mike Biggar | January 24
A dinner-and-show night at the second level of Vito’s Uptown featuring live entertainment from Mike Biggar. Dinner is included, beverages are extra, and the vibe is relaxed and social. Runs 6–9pm in Uptown Saint John.

Bad Words for Street Team SJ | January 24
A comedy-forward fundraiser at Wasted Day Brewing with live music and a stacked lineup of New Brunswick comedians. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:30pm, and proceeds support Street Team SJ’s work in the community.

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📸 Prince Thomas | 📍 Winter at the Res

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Today’s Tides 🌊

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with a co-worker that’s full of hot air 😮‍💨.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher