⚾️ Saint John waiting on call from TO

Good Morning, Saint John. It’s World Password Day today, which is meant to remind you that using your cat’s name plus “123” for every account probably isn’t ideal. We know there’s at least three of you still protecting your banking information with habsfan93 and hoping they can update it to habsfan26 soon enough. Us too.

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

Happy Thursday!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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⚾️ St. Peter’s Field comeback gets a boost

Saint John council approved $175,000 this week toward the planned revitalization of St. Peter’s Field, with the funding contingent on the Port City Pirates securing support from the Toronto Blue Jays’ Jays Care Foundation and completing additional local fundraising.

Port City Pirates president Adam Doherty has been leading the push alongside his friend Yan Del Valle after the two baseball dads started talking a few years ago about why Saint John couldn’t have a special community field again.

“It’s easy to sit there and point out the negatives about local parks,” Adam told SJ Today. “We wanted to get in and try to work with people.”

Yan, originally from Cuba, got fully hooked after learning Cuba’s national team once played at St. Peter’s during a Maritime tour in the 1970s.

“What are the chances,” Adam said, “that a self-made man from Cuba comes to Saint John and stumbles across this baseball field where his childhood heroes played?”

If the Jays Care funding comes through, the next step would be a public fundraising campaign tied to the field’s redevelopment. Adam said the vision is to create a multi-use space for different age groups, girls baseball, softball and even cricket.

“This is a real field of dreams, let’s make this park believable again,” he said. “Let’s give it to the next generation.”

Project updates and future fundraising details are being shared through the Friends of St. Peter’s Baseball Field Facebook page.

🌎 NB companies go worldwide

The New Brunswick Export Awards are coming back to Saint John on May 28, bringing together 40 companies from around the province that are selling New Brunswick products, services, and ideas far beyond our borders. And yep, a bunch of familiar local names are in the mix.

Companies like Bloom Funding, hatch + parley, and The Smart Energy Company are among several businesses from the Saint John region up for awards this year, as more local companies keep finding success well outside New Brunswick.

The awards, now in their 58th year, shine a light on companies doing big things in areas like innovation, sustainability, global growth, and emerging exports. It’s also a pretty solid reminder that a lot of New Brunswick businesses aren’t just thinking local anymore.

Before the awards that evening, Opportunities NB is also hosting a free daytime session at the Harbourfront Hotel focused on export growth and navigating international markets. Or, more simply, helping local businesses figure out how to sell more stuff in more places while the global economy keeps changing every five minutes.

🗳️ A lot more people are voting

More than 83,000 New Brunswickers have already voted in advance polls ahead of Monday’s municipal election, with Elections NB saying turnout is already sitting around 15% of eligible voters province-wide. That’s unusually high for municipal races.

As election day gets closer, SJ Today’s local candidate Q&A continues expanding with new responses from candidates across the entire Saint John Region.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW

THURSDAY

Comedy Misfits | May 7
Five and Dime hosts this 19+ stand-up show Thursday at 7pm, bringing a touring lineup of comedians from Vancouver Island to uptown Saint John for a 90-minute night of awkward stories, oversharing, and offbeat humour. Advance tickets are $20, or $25 at the door if there’s still room left.

FRIDAY

Saint John Gallery Hop | May 8
Galleries across uptown Saint John stay open late Friday from 4-7pm, with some locations running even later, for a self-guided evening of local art, exhibits, and artist spaces all within walking distance. Stops include Trinity Galleries, Cobalt Gallery, the Saint John Arts Centre, Tuck Studio, and several others spread through the uptown core.

Tabrizi Rugs Four-Day Show | May 8–11
The Saint John Harbourfront Hotel hosts this four-day rug showcase starting Friday, featuring handmade rugs from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and beyond alongside modern machine-made pieces. The pop-up runs daily from 9am-7pm and brings in inventory from Halifax that organizers say normally isn’t available locally.

SATURDAY

Saint John Taekwondo Tournament | May 9
Lord Beaverbrook Rink hosts this provincial taekwondo tournament Saturday with doors opening at 8am, welcoming competitors of all ages from across New Brunswick for a full day of matches, demonstrations, and community support from the stands.

Spring & Mother’s Day Market | May 9
The Porch in Hampton hosts its second annual Spring & Mother’s Day Market Saturday from 10am-3pm, bringing together local vendors, shopping, and drinks in a relaxed community setting just ahead of Mother’s Day weekend.

Mother’s Day Maker Workshop | May 9
Kids can spend Saturday afternoon from 1-4pm creating handmade Mother’s Day gifts during this beginner-friendly sewing workshop, where participants will make projects, wrap them on-site, and leave with cards and surprises ready for Sunday morning.

Yoga on Tap | May 9
Yip Cider hosts this guided yoga session Saturday at 2pm, pairing a one-hour all-levels class with a complimentary draft cider or beer afterward. The class is led by Melissa from Zenful Counselling & Yoga and is designed as a relaxed kickoff to Mother’s Day weekend.

Port City Power vs. Tri-City Tide | May 9
Port City Power returns to the court Saturday at 7pm at UNBSJ, taking on the Tri-City Tide in an evening matchup expected to bring plenty of energy and noise from the local crowd. General admission and courtside tickets are available.

DIY Broken Pieces Workshop | May 9
A hands-on workshop at Broken Pieces Rage Room on Tim Street invites participants to turn smashed plates and ceramics into repurposed art pieces Saturday, blending creativity with a little controlled destruction.

Rugby Registration Night | May 9
The Saint John Trojans Rugby Club hosts this in-person registration help session Saturday at Sandy Point Road, giving players and families a chance to get assistance navigating the club’s new registration platform ahead of the season.

SUNDAY

Queen Square Farmers Market Opening Day | May 10
The Queen Square Farmers Market opens its outdoor season Sunday from 9am-2pm, bringing local vendors, baked goods, produce, and community traffic back to the south end square for weekly Sunday markets.

Afternoon Tea in the Atrium | May 10
Market Square hosts this Sunday afternoon tea from 2-4pm in the atrium, with guests enjoying tea, snacks, and a mimosa in a dressed-up setting hosted by The Write Cup. Tickets are $35 and available while quantities last.

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📸 David Hallihan | 📍 New River Beach

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🌅 6:04am | 🌇 8:37pm

Today’s Tides 🌊

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-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

*Today’s web cover photo courtesy of Friends of St. Peters Baseball Field.