❄️ What's up with Winterfest?

Good morning Saint John! Good news, today is Dress Up Your Pet Day…I’m dressing Frankie like the boss and asking for the day off.

Here’s what we’re barking at today:

Let’s dig into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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🚗 Park smart or pay more

If you’ve been rolling the dice on winter parking rules, City Council just made that habit more expensive. An update to Saint John’s traffic by-law is now official, hiking fines for parking violations that slow down plows, street sweepers, and other Public Works crews. The changes kick in today (January 14), and cover things like snow bans, no-parking zones, loading and bus zones, and alternate-side parking.

Early fines now start at $60, climb to $80 after two weeks, and hit $100 if ignored long enough, with the maximum offence penalty rising to $125. The city says the goal is smoother snow removal in winter and better street maintenance year-round. Consider this your friendly reminder to check the signs before you head inside.

🚢 A bigger role for Saint John

Canada’s transport minister was in town yesterday to mark the completion of the port’s massive west side upgrade and made it clear the city is now central to Canada’s global trade plans. The $247 million project quadruples container capacity and positions the port as a key gateway to Europe and beyond.

The minister called Saint John some of the most strategically important real estate in the country right now, saying the port gives Canada room to grow trade with the rest of the world. More ships and more cargo also mean more pressure on nearby infrastructure, with fixes like Simms Corner firmly back on the radar.

🏗️ A look at the North End’s future

Ever wondered what the North End could look like next? The city is hosting a final open house where residents can check out the draft neighbourhood plan, including renderings and proposed changes, and share feedback before it’s finalized. Drop in, ask questions, and flag what works or doesn’t.

It’s happening Tuesday, January 27 at the Nick Nicolle Community Centre, with afternoon and evening sessions. The full plan, visuals, and feedback form are available on the Shape Your City page for anyone who can’t make it in person.

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❄️ Simple Guide to Fundy Winterfest ❄️

If you’re having trouble keeping up with Fundy Winterfest, you’re not alone. It’s not always clear what’s happening where or how to find the details. We’re not the sponsor…but we’ve got your back.

Each week through March 8, a different municipality across the region takes the lead on family-friendly winter events. We’ll break it all down here every Wednesday with a clear rundown of what’s happening, so you don’t have to go digging.

Things kick off this weekend in Hampton. Below is the full rundown, along with a few ongoing Fundy Winterfest promos happening around the region.

Ongoing Promos

Fundy Winterfest Kickoff Giveaway | January 17–30
Fundy Winterfest is kicking things off with a region-wide giveaway packed with winter gear and local goodies. The prize bundle includes two sets of snowshoes, a sled, a shovel, swag from all six communities, and gift cards. Entries are open on the Fundy Winterfest Facebook page, with the winner drawn and announced January 30.

Free Snowshoe Rentals at River & Trail | January 17–March 8
Rothesay residents and visitors can borrow adult and youth snowshoes for free throughout Fundy Winterfest. Rentals are available at River & Trail Outdoor Company with advance reservations required. A refundable damage deposit and photo ID are needed, and snowshoes must be returned the day after pickup.

Where Is Winter Waldo & Woof? | January 17–March 8
Winter Waldo is back — and this year he’s brought his buddy Woof along. Head out on Rothesay’s trail system and see if you can spot them along the way. Snap a photo and submit it for a chance to win, while enjoying a self-guided winter walk around town.

This weekend’s Fundy Winterfest events kick off in Hampton

SATURDAY

Frosty Finds Challenge | January 17–18
Think of this as a community scavenger hunt with a Winterfest twist. A small “cache” is hidden somewhere public in Hampton, and once it’s found, participants punch their ballot to collect entries toward Winterfest prizes. Ballots can be printed at home or picked up at Hampton Town Hall, and the hunt runs all weekend.

2nd Annual SNOWBall Tournament | January 17
Teams hit the field for a full day of winter fun at Hampton’s second annual SNOWBall Tournament. Expect games, food, a home run derby in support of charity, and plenty of action for spectators. Games run at Veterans’ Field and Ronald Mahoney Memorial Field from 8am–4:45pm, with limited team spots available.

2nd Annual Cookie Crawl | January 17
For $20, cookie lovers can check in at the Hampton Visitor Information Centre, grab a map and cookie box, and make their way through town collecting treats from participating businesses. Advance tickets are required, and all 12 cookies must be collected by 3pm.

Genealogy Workshop with Kings County Museum | January 17
Families are invited to explore their roots during a free, hands-on genealogy workshop hosted by the Kings County Museum. Participants will learn how to start building a family tree and share stories together. The workshop runs from 1–4pm at 27 Centennial Rd., with registration required by email.

Hampton Community Bonfire | January 17
A classic winter gathering with s’mores, music, and community cheer. Residents are invited to gather around the fire at the Mike Murphy Memorial Field House, where the Hampton Fire Department will also be on site with a fire truck for kids to check out. The bonfire runs from 5–7pm and is free to attend.

SUNDAY

Find Frostbite on the Dutch Point Trail | January 18
Bundle up and hit the Dutch Point Trail to see how many Frostbites you can spot along the way. Participants grab a punch card, complete the challenge, and enter a draw to win a prize. This self-paced winter adventure runs from 10am–4pm and is perfect for families.

Pet Portraits at Kit N Kaboodle | January 18
Kit N Kaboodle is hosting winter-themed pet portraits, offering photos for $10 each along with in-store deals and treats for furry guests. A fun stop for pet owners looking to capture a seasonal keepsake, running from 12–5pm at 1032 Main St.

T-Shirt Making Workshop with Cinnamon Fern | January 18
Get creative during a hands-on T-shirt painting workshop with Cinnamon Fern. Participants will paint their own “Lost in the Forest” tee using machine-washable paint, with cookies and hot cocoa included. The workshop runs from 1–3pm at the Hampton Visitor Information Centre, with registration required.

Snow, Fire, and Fun at Forest Lane Domes | January 18
Families are invited to spend the afternoon at Forest Lane Domes enjoying bonfires, winter games like cornhole and axe throwing, snowball targets, and tours of the dome camping sites. Activities run from 1:30–5:30pm at 396 Guthrie Rd.

Polar Paws Pups & Pints at Hampton Brewing Co. | January 18
A pet-friendly happy hour where on-leash dogs are welcome to join their humans for drinks, outdoor fire pits, and good conversation. Polar Paws runs from 2–4pm at Hampton Brewing Company and is a relaxed way to wrap up the weekend.

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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. This could be a tricky one, but if this looks familiar, be sure to hit reply and send us you best guess. We’ll reveal the location and correct guesses in Friday’s issue. Good luck!

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Today’s Tides 🌊

🕰️ Today in Saint John history
On this day in 1837, the second most deadly fire in Saint John’s history broke out at Peter’s Wharf and tore along South Market Wharf, destroying 115 homes and causing more than $1 million in damage. It happened roughly 40 years before the Great Fire of 1877, another reminder of how often fire reshaped the early city.

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Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who’s dog is more fashionable than you 🐩!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher