🇨🇦 Your Guide to Canada Day

Good morning Saint John! It’s a weird week with a Tuesday holiday…lucky you! Whether you’re working today or in looong weekend mode, get ready for a jam-packed Canada Day tomorrow. Fun, music, and fireworks are happening all over the region. Full events rundown is below. Now let’s just hope the weather cooperates.

PS: No newsletter tomorrow because we’re celebrating too. Back in your inbox Wednesday, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

In todays edition:

• Large land development plan in Rothesay 🌳

• Ticks are out and hungry 🕷️

• Cash available for local artists 💸

Let’s get into it!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🏗️ Rothesay Could Soon Be a Whole Lot Busier

A proposal for a massive mixed-use development has landed in front of Rothesay Council. We’re talking 56 acres, 1,277 housing units, 16 buildings, and seven with shops on the ground floor. It’s a bold plan from Landmark 661 Ltd. that would pack apartments, townhouses, and some commercial space between Millennium, Campbell, and Wedgewood Drives.

The public can weigh in at a meeting Monday, July 21 at 7pm at the Wells Community Centre. Early thoughts? Email [email protected] by July 16.

⚠️ Tick Alert! 

If ticks crawling on you makes your skin crawl, sorry to say, tick season is booming in New Brunswick. Two mild winters let female ticks survive and multiply…one can lay up to 3,000 eggs after a good blood meal! Yuck. That’s a lot of unwanted guests.

These bloodsuckers spread Lyme disease and nastier bugs like anaplasmosis and babesiosis. They hitch rides on deer, coyotes, and birds, spreading wider every year.

Your best defense? Tick-specific bug spray, long pants if you can, and regular tick checks, even mid-hike. Pets need protection too, so chat with your vet about meds and give them a once over as often as possible.

If you get bitten, many NB pharmacists can now prescribe free antibiotics within 72 hours - no doctor needed. Just bring the tick (bagged) or a clear photo.

🎨 Cash for Saint John Artists 

The Saint John art scene has a secret stash of cash, and it’s time to grab your share. The Greater Saint John Professional Visual Artists Fund is handing out $1,000 to one lucky local pro who needs a little help chasing the muse…whether that’s buying supplies, renting a studio, or jetting off on some much-needed research travel.

There’s no final report, no art show, no big strings, just support for your practice, plain and simple. The deadline to apply is August 1, and you’ve got to live somewhere between Welsford and St. Martins.

Applications open July 1 and you can send yours to [email protected] with the subject line Greater Saint John Professional Visual Artists Fund. Need help? Call Andrew at 506-633-4870.

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EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

🇨🇦 Canada Day 2025 The Local Lineup
Tomorrow’s Canada Day and the fun is guaranteed. From fireworks to foam pits, pirates to magic, and music to munchies, there’s something for everyone. The Saint John Police want you to party hard but stay smart. Watch your drinks, keep an eye on the kids, respect the noise, and don’t forget a safe ride home. They’ll be out making sure everyone stays safe and sound. If you see something off, call 506-648-3333 or 911 in an emergency.

🛳️ Saint John | Waterfront Festival & Fireworks
12–10pm | Ihtoli-Maqahamok + Container Village
In partnership with AREA 506, the city is throwing a waterfront bash with two full stages, a circus school, live bands, bingo, magic, and a massive fireworks finale.

🔊 Ihtoli-Maqahamok – The Gathering Space (Boardwalk Stage)
• 12–1:30pm: Ethnocultural performances, official opening, cake cutting at 1pm
• 2pm: Catherine Kennedy
• 3:30pm: Dram & a Draw
• 5pm: The Last Call
• 6:30pm: Artificially Hip
• 8:30pm: Slowcoaster
(DJ music between sets)

🎸 Container Village (Main Stage & Activities)
• 1pm & 4pm: Nathaniel Rankin, Canadian Champion of Magic
• 2–4pm: Canadian Music Bingo with prizes
• 5pm: Everything Under the Sun (High School Battle of the Bands winners)
• 6pm: Justine Richardson
• 7–9pm: Oreo Jones Band
• 9–10pm: Dr. Frankenband

🎪 Around the Village
• 12–2pm: Princess & Superhero Photo Ops
• 1–4pm: Circus School
• 2–4pm: Walkaround magic
• 4–4:30pm: Aerial circus show

🎆 Fireworks at Long Wharf | 10pm (weather permitting)

🎶 Portland United Summer Series | July 1
The Portland Summer Series kicks off with local duo A Little Bit ’a JaG, bringing smooth sounds to the historic Portland United Church. Jane Trites and Greg Cyr take the stage at 7pm. Admission is free, but donations to the North End Food Bank are welcome if you’re feeling generous. A lovely way to wind down Canada Day.

🏴‍☠️ Quispamsis | Pirate Party in the Park
11am–3pm | Arts & Culture Park (12 Landing Court)
Get your pirate gear ready…Quispamsis is leaning hard into the swashbuckling spirit this year.

• Giant inflatables, foam pit, axe throwing
• Live music: Before the Mast, Theresa Malenfant Band, Artificially Hip
• Carnival games, prizes, BBQ, treats
• $5 public swim at the qplex (12–2pm, 2:15–4:15pm, 4:30–6:30pm)
• KV Food Basket donations welcome
• Rain location: Quispamsis Memorial Arena

🎈 Rothesay | Cupcakes, Castles & Circus Fun
12–3pm | Rothesay Common
A family-friendly, high-energy afternoon with something for every kid…and kid at heart.

• 12pm: Flag-raising ceremony
• Live music by Alison Dawn Voice & Music Students
• Balloon art from Mr. Zapz, face painting by Cathie Wilson
• Big bubble show with Benny Bubblz
• Circus jam from Petite Luna & Sol
• Inflatables, lawn games, popcorn, cotton candy, cupcakes
• Ice cream by the Legion, BBQ by the Kennebecasis Paddling Centre
• Bring a food bank donation!
• Rain location: Rothesay Arena (65 Hampton Rd)
• Renforth Beach open 11am–5pm with lifeguards on duty

🎆 Grand Bay-Westfield | Daytime Festivities + Night-Before Fireworks
June 30 – Fireworks Pre-Party
10pm | Westfield Wharf (by Brundage Point River Centre)
Best viewing from Brundage Point. Ferries paused during the show.
No parking or boat access at Brundage Point after 9pm.

July 1 – Day Celebration
11am–1pm | River Valley Community Centre (749 River Valley Drive)

• Music: Solid Gold + 4 Amigos
• Bingo, bouncy castle, obstacle course
• Face painting, temporary tattoos, BBQ, treats, photo booth
• Public Safety education trailer & Conservation Officers
• Donations accepted: Food or eyeglasses for Lions Club
• Parking: River Valley Middle School (33 Epworth Park Rd)
• Rain or shine

🎡 Hampton | All-Day Action + Fireworks
9am–dusk | Across town
A full-town takeover with activities running morning to night.

🍳 Morning
• 9am–12pm: Firefighters' Breakfast (Fire Station)

🎪 Midday Fun (11am–3pm)
Field House (808 Main St)

• Bouncy castles, family games, face painting
• Crafts with H.A.L.L., popcorn, snow cones
• Magic & balloon show by Zap (1pm)
• Food trucks: East Coast Donairs & Sylvia’s Country Kitchen

Town Square (657 Main St)
• 11am: Opening Ceremony
• Vendor Market until 2pm
• Live music:
• 11am–1:15pm: Jacob Chevarie & Holly Campbell
• 1:15–2:30pm: Zack Ingles & Co.

Around Town
• Laser tag @ Hampton Middle School
• Book Sale @ Hampton Library
• Train rides @ 424 Centennial Rd

🎆 Fireworks at dusk | Behind Hampton Middle School
Grab your chair, hoodie, and bug spray!

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who loves fireworks 🎆 !

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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