🤠 SJ Today's Guide to Boxcar Country Festival

Saint John Goes Full Country This Weekend

It’s boots, beers, and big sound all weekend long in Saint John. The city’s turning full country for the Boxcar Country Festival. Things kick off tonight with a pre-party and bracelet pickup, but the main event rolls in tomorrow and it sounds like it’s gonna be a barnburner! And since we’re no strangers to riding into uptown festival grounds, we thought we’d wrassle up a guide for the weekend so you don’t leave nothin’ on the table when it comes to fun.

🔥 The Second Stage Ain’t Second Best

While the festival grounds don’t swing open ’til 2pm on Saturday and Sunday, you’ll wanna mosey over to the Container Village starting at 11am. That second stage is packed with free, family-friendly entertainment with no ticket needed, just bring your curiosity and maybe your handkerchief.

There’ll be BBQ demos with Beer Daddy BBQ’s Corey Richard and Foster Feasts, whisky talks and tastings, and the return of the Sauce Boss competition where you taste the finalists and cast your vote with a canned good donation.

Add in a Saturday line dancing workshop (prizes included!) and Sunday’s lasso competition (yes, really), and you’ve got yourself a boot-stompin’ good time before the main show even kicks off.

🪕 The Main Stage Roundup

Saturday

Ridin’ in on Saturday is Sean Michael Ryan, Anna Graves, JoJo Mason, and the firecrackin’ headliner Tenille Townes.

You might know her hit Somebody’s Daughter, but Jersey on the Wall is the one that’ll stop you in your tracks. It’s a heartbreaker inspired by a Grand Manan tragedy, and the video was filmed right on the island.

JoJo Mason brings some sunshine… It's All Good is the kind of song that gets boots tappin’ and drinks flowin’and just what we need to kick off the weekend.

And New Brunswicker Sean Michael Ryan brings some killer pipes and passion with this tune Every Other Weekend. 

Sunday

Sunday starts out rowdy, in all the right ways with Saint John’s Pretty Western, Frederictonian Colin Fowlie, Robyn Ottolini, Big Sugar, and headliner Tim Hicks.

Tim Hicks will definitely light up the crowd with Hell Raisin’ Good Time. 

And if you’re here for some iconic Canadian jams, Big Sugar’s got ‘em. We’re hoping for
Better Get Used to It  & All Hell for a Basement on the setlist. 

Robyn Ottonlini’s platinum hit  F-150 is one country fans will recognize and be singing along too. 

But the afternoon begins with locals Pretty Western who are bringing the twang…and if you need bonafides, this is Jamie Comeau’s western front. 

🎧 Wanna hear more?

 The full Boxcar playlist on Spotify’s got your back for the weekend ride.

📲 Get the full schedule from the Boxcar’s Facebook page.

👢 Don’t Go Fussin’ Over Yer ‘Fit

If your cowboy hat's seen better days or your duds just ain’t cuttin’ mustard, you’ll need a fresh fit for the ‘gram… 

We’ve spotted some mighty fine local shops like In Pursuit, Hats on the Square and Obscurity posting some country-coded accessories, denim, and Western-inspired looks that’ll have you lookin’ like a sight for sore eyes. 

And of course the festival merch tent ain’t holdin’ back on Sunday best neither.

🍹 Sadlin’ Up Elsewhere

It’s not really a festival weekend if you ain’t tunin’ up for the rodeo before you arrive. And sure, we’re blessed with a whole herd of fine establishments uptown to pick from, but this weekend we’ve rounded up two saloons worth your time.

For full-on country vibes and pre-show cocktails, The Country Club on the Boardwalk is your best bet (tag us in your horse selfies). But if you’re lookin’ for something a little looser on the reins and easier on the wallet, the patio at Uptown Pub Down Under is a solid choice for great drinks, low prices, and prime people-watchin’ before the show kicks off.

Either way, best to get steppin…because they’ll fill up quick.

🍖 Fill Your Boots and Your Glass

You can’t rightly call it a hoedown without a good feed, so save some belly room for the tasty offerings on site. Alongside delicious BBQ from Beer Daddy, your ticket includes access to two whisky tastings…just hitch yourself up to a sampling station, flash your bracelet, and enjoy a nip of something strong.

Here’s where you can find some of the best bites and sips:

🍔 Big D's Smash Box — Serving up the best smash burgers around, voted #1 Burger in New Brunswick for 2023 and 2024.
🍛 Euphoria — Delicious traditional Indian fare that’ll warm your soul.
🔥 Outlaw's Smokehouse — Full lineup of smoked meats, classic BBQ sides, plus fresh-squeezed lemonade, dirty sodas, and energy infusions to keep you going.
🌮 El Patron — Authentic Mexican favourites with a food truck twist.
🥞 World Famous BeaverTails — The classic Canadian pastry you can’t miss.

…and plenty more to satisfy whatever cravings ride into town.

🚌 No Ride? Don’t go Frettin’.

ANBL’s Safe Ride shuttle service is the best way to hit the trail this weekend. Whether you’re rollin’ in from the east side, west side, or KV, the free festival shuttles kick off Saturday and Sunday evenings at 6pm, no parking hassles, no pricey cabs, and no worries ‘bout that third whiskey.

 🚌 More on the Safe Ride schedule

🐎 Well, That About Wraps It Up

But it’s worth noting that weekends like this get the whole city buzzing. Even if you’re not a diehard country fan, it’s a good excuse to mosey out, catch some live music, hit a patio, and enjoy what uptown Saint John does best…bring folks together for a good time! Have a great weekend…we’ll see ya out on the trail.