🎢 Saint John’s newest thrill ride

In partnership with:

Morning, Saint John! On this day in 1900, St. George inventor Joseph S. Clark patented the key-opening can, giving generations of hungry people the chance to battle a tin of corned beef with one tiny strip of metal. It’s a deeply New Brunswick contribution to the world…practical, slightly dangerous and forever connected to canned meat.

Here’s what else we’re opening this morning:

Enjoy the day!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

When that question comes, you could make another trip to the grocery store...or you could make everyone's day a little easier.

Montana's is serving up all the BBQ favourites you were hoping someone would suggest anyway. Slow-smoked ribs, juicy burgers, brisket, wings and plenty of comfort food to go around. It's the kind of place where nobody has to cook, nobody has to clean up, and everyone leaves happy.

Proudly locally owned and operated, Montana's Saint John is ready whenever supper plans are.

🌊 Saint John’s waterfront gets a bigger blueprint

A new plan could shape Saint John’s waterfront through 2050. Envision Saint John, the city, Port Saint John and Fundy Harbour Group are seeking a consultant to identify ways to attract investment, create jobs and bring more people waterfront year-round, according to allNewBrunswick. Market Square and the Uptown pedway system will be priority areas for review, including aging infrastructure, public access and issues affecting their appeal. No specific construction projects have been chosen yet. The plan will also explore tourism, green space and new development opportunities while building on Harbour Passage, the Gathering Space and Fundy Quay. It has been at least 20 years since Saint John completed a waterfront development plan. Proposals are due August 18.

🚧 New speed cushions hit city streets

New speed cushions are now in place on Champlain Drive, Mountain Road and Kennebecasis Drive, with Hawthorne Avenue next in the coming weeks. Temporary signs are up, with permanent signage and pavement markings still to come. The City says the cushions reduce speeds by an average of 9 km/h and collision risk by 28%.

City Hall says traffic-calming requests have climbed more than 400% compared with the previous four-year period. So pack the kids in the car this weekend, grab grandma and experience Saint John’s newest thrill ride as a family! Please keep all hands, feet and undercarriages inside the vehicle.

🔭 Saint John looked up

Roughly 20 to 30 stargazers gathered at Irving Nature Park Wednesday as a partial solar eclipse passed over Saint John. Astronomy by the Bay hosted the watch party, while local amateur astronomer Chris Curwin livestreamed the celestial show for TimeandDate.com.

The eclipse began locally at 1:55pm and reached its maximum coverage at 2:55pm. Chris and his crew returned Wednesday night with about 28 telescopes for the Perseids meteor shower, which benefited from especially dark skies thanks to a new moon. Apparently, Saint John looked up from its phones for an entire afternoon. A rare astronomical event indeed.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

Get your brand in front of eager eyes. Partner with us for prime advertising opportunities!

WEEKEND PREVIEW

THURSDAY

Saint John West Days | August 12–15
Saint John West Days fills the west side with four days of music, food and community fun. The lineup includes the Sunset Social at Lancaster Plaza, seniors’ bingo, a ball game and BBQ, lawn bowling, cards, dancing and local history. Saturday wraps it all up with Coffee and Goss followed by Family Day at Carleton Community Centre, featuring live music, inflatables, face painting, a petting zoo, axe throwing and more.

Concert in the Common with Big River Ramblers | August 13
The Big River Ramblers roll into Rothesay Common for a free outdoor concert from 7–8pm. Bring a blanket or chair and park at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Wet weather moves the show to the Wells Community Centre.

FRIDAY

Third Shift | August 14–16
Saint John becomes the canvas during Third Shift, a contemporary arts festival packed with installations, projections, performances and interactive works. The after-dark celebration transforms spaces around the city into a creative playground, with programming continuing through August 16.

Hospice Summer BBQ | August 14
Bobby’s Hospice is firing up the grill at 385 Dufferin Row from 11:30am–1pm in support of patient care. An $8 lunch includes a hamburger, hot dog, chips and water, with entertainment, raffles and a running 50/50 also on the menu. This year’s barbecue campaign is aiming to raise $65,000.

Crafting Swap | August 14–15
Give that neglected yarn a fresh start at 13 Rockcliffe St. Drop off fabric, yarn, macramé, cross-stitch and embroidery supplies from noon–8pm August 14, then return for the swap and shop from 10am–3pm August 15. Contributors get first pick before the public joins in. The outdoor event is weather permitting.

International Youth Day Celebration | August 14
PRUDE Inc. is inviting people ages 15–30 to the YMCA Glen Carpenter Centre for a free evening of lake activities, s’mores, a campfire and an outdoor movie. It runs from 6–9pm, giving everyone three hours to make new friends and perfect their marshmallow technique. Registration is required.

Outdoor Concert Series with Dram & A Draw | August 14
Dram & A Draw bring Maritime folk, Celtic flair and kitchen-party energy to Hampton at 8pm. The outdoor show at 64 Robertson Rd. promises tight harmonies, stomping rhythms and several good reasons to raise a glass.

SATURDAY

Taste of KV | August 15
The first Taste of KV festival fills Quispamsis Arts & Culture Park from 4–8pm with local and multicultural performances, food vendors, crafts, henna, calligraphy, DJ entertainment and a Dickie Dee bike. The Rothesay-Quispamsis Community Network is serving up the free celebration at 12 Landing Ct., with everyone invited to bring an appetite.

AREA 506 Kidstage Ancient Explorers | August 15
Kidstage turns young visitors into Ancient Explorers at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village beginning at 11am. The family-friendly Saturday activity takes place at 85 Water St.

Dragons on the Lake | August 15
Lily Lake gets a little more crowded Saturday as 21 teams hit the water for the first-ever Dragons on the Lake Dragon Boat Festival. Along with racing throughout the day, Rockwood Park will feature live music, food, bouncy castles, face painting and family activities on shore. Come cheer on the paddlers, enjoy the park and see who earns the inaugural bragging rights.

Paws in the Park | August 15
Dogs and their humans can sniff out new friends at Big Paw Little Paw Dog Park in Grand Bay-Westfield from 11am–1pm. The free pet social includes activities, a barbecue and plenty of room for four-legged mingling. Dogs must remain with their owners throughout the event.

Acadian Day 2026 | August 15
Celebrate Acadian Day on the Saint John waterfront with a free evening of music, colour and plenty of Acadian pride. Acadian karaoke kicks things off before Plywood Joe takes the stage, and we're told there'll even be Acadian Alpine cans available, because some traditions deserve to be preserved. It all starts at 6pm at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village.

Outdoor Concert Series with Phake | August 15
Phake brings strange jams, deep grooves and the occasional cosmic accident to Hampton at 8pm. Patrick Lewis, Andrew Butler, Nick Cobham and John Morrison hit the outdoor stage at 64 Robertson Rd. for a Saturday-night trip just left of reality.

SUNDAY

Founders Cup | August 16–22
Canada’s top Junior B lacrosse teams are coming to TD Station for a full week of big hits, fast breaks and a national title on the line. Hosted by the Saint John Rapids, the Founders Cup begins August 16 and runs through the championship final on August 22. Day passes are available.

African Culture Festival | August 16
African Culture Festival fills the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village with a community celebration beginning at noon. The festival takes place at 85 Water St., bringing African culture to the waterfront for a full Sunday gathering.

Queen Square Farmers’ Market | August 16
Queen Square fills with fresh produce, flowers, eggs, cheese, local meats and flavours from around the world from 9am–2pm. The market runs rain or shine, so Sunday brunch can still happen even when the forecast refuses to cooperate.

🎟️ Looking for something else? Browse all of this week’s local events.

_{^{*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.}}

📸 Ben Botelho | 📍 St. Martins

We love seeing your local pics! Hit reply and share the best of your camera roll, so we can share them here! 🙋

🌅 6:23am | 🌇 8:34pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

Your Spot Awaits!

Ready to reach more Saint John locals? Our baseline ads are the perfect fit! Delivered alongside each day's news, events, and community highlights, your message has a prime seat. Find out how you can grab this space and get in front of the city!*

_{^{*indicates sponsored content}}

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who’s got New Brunswick’s next great invention in them 💡.

Geoff Walsh - Publisher