Moncton Events this Summer - and surrounding area

Summer Events and Destinations in Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick

by Heather Ferguson

Southeastern New Brunswick is fast becoming the summer vacation destination of the Maritimes with lots to do and see, places to go, and events to make memories! Breathtaking scenery, dynamic history, vibrant city centres, sumptuous feasts, exciting shopping, and world class concerts and festivals are all geared to make this summer one to remember.

The Greater Moncton Area is the perfect stop along the way for visitors to our region. Not only is it a gateway to the lovely island province of Prince Edward Island and all of its delights and to Nova Scotia with its perfect blend of history and modern charm, it is also a vital link to indelible experiences in its very own backyard.

Filled with every accommodation from sleek hotels to charming bed and breakfasts, the city also offers a smorgasbord of culinary temptations from a global arena – Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Greek, Mexican, and, of course, delicious Maritime seafood with lobster as the focus!

The thrills of Magic Mountain Water Park and Magnetic Hill Zoo, championship golf courses at Royal Oaks hosting the Canadian Ladies Golf Championship at the end of July, and The Moncton Golf and Country Club, proximity to sandy beaches at Parlee and Bouctouche Dunes, fishing and sailing, kayaking at Hopewell Rocks, hiking and camping at Fundy Park, and whale watching in the Bay of Fundy are all perfect day trip activities to mount from a base of operations in Moncton.

For seekers of unique regional handicrafts and art, the Fundy Studio Tour is a must, as is the Artisans At Work locations. Into photography? Love history? June 12 kicks off the summer season at the historic Thomas Williams House on Park Street in Downtown Moncton. Take a tour of life in yesteryear and enjoy a musical luncheon on Fridays.

Don’t forget to visit the university Town of Sackville just a 20-minute drive away from Moncton. It’s home to Mount Allison University, Campbell’s Carriage Factory Museum, the historic Marshlands Inn and Restaurant, the Waterfowl Park and a host of world class art galleries including the Owen’s Art Gallery at the university and Fog Forest Gallery in Downtown Sackville.

In the Greater Moncton Area, the month of June will kick off an exciting schedule of events certain to appeal to a wide audience with something to quell every taste. The Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival runs from June 24 to 28 attracting biking enthusiasts from across the Maritimes to our fair city with displays of bike power!

The Fifth Annual Rendez-vous Festival will showcase Metro Moncton’s cultural diversity in crafts, foods, dancing, and costume. Sponsored by the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA), this wonderful festival will celebrate the various ethnic groups that make up our population. Enjoy this event which will take place from June 25 to July 1 at Victoria Park.

The highlight of this month is most certainly Bon Jovi in Concert at the Magnetic Hill Concert Site on June 27. Call 1-888-720-5800 or go online at www.tickets.moncton.ca for tickets! Do you love dance? Visit the Atlantic Dance Festival from Jun 25 to 28 with shows, workshops, films and demos.

July’s Canada Day celebrations will be marked on the first with the Downtown Moncton Canada Day Festival at City Hall, and at Riverview’s Caseley Park a noon to 6pm extravaganza for the whole family. Drop in for BBQ’s, face painting, games, and crafts culminating with fireworks at 10pm marking the end to a week-long Sunfest Festival. This promises to be a fun gathering for all! The Shediac Lobster Festival will take place from July 8 to 12 in beautiful Shediac by the Sea. Also in Shediac the Flea Market will feature acres of displays of wonderful treasures for the collector in us all. Of course, July would not be complete without the popular Atlantic National Automotive Extravaganza from July 9 to 12. Of course, every Saturday in July and August, the Marché Moncton Market will host Artists at the Market, featuring song, dance, and drama, and the Victoria Park Concert Series, also running throughout July and August will feature concerts every Tuesday at 7pm. There will also be a concert series at Centennial Park with shows every Sunday at 2pm.

August is ushered in by New Brunswick Day celebrations in Downtown Moncton on August 4 and continues with Fete des Acadiens on August 15. Turner’s Victoria Park Arts and Crafts Fair will take place from August 7 to 9 with the talents of local artisans and visiting vendors from as far afield as Ontario and Nova Scotia in attendance.

August is also all about the Atlantic Seafood Festival which will take place at various venues around the city and will showcase the best in Maritime seafood. August wraps up with a bang with AC/DC in Concert at the Magnetic Hill Concert Site! This world class event is sure to attract record crowds to our region, all keen to sample the finest Moncton has to offer. This August the spotlight will most certainly shine on our region as we play host to visitors.

In fact, right across the Maritime, concerts in almost every province have attracted big names in entertainment, ranging from Blue Rodeo and Matt Minglewood at the Miramichi Cultural Fest on Jun 26 and Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, and others at Cavendish, P.E.I. from July 10 to 12 to Sir Paul McCartney at the Halifax Common on July 11, followed by Kiss in Concert at the same venue on July 6. See below for a complete listing of concert destinations throughout the Maritimes for Summer 2009!

The sheer variety and quality of events taking place across the Maritimes this summer means that vacationers can create their own experience from a range of choices whether it be a lazy, languid, sun-drenched stay at a seaside retreat, an exciting, heart-pounding, revved-up concert run, or a combination of both. Whatever you choose, make summer 2009 one filled with memorable experiences! Enjoy!

Shediac Events this Summer

Summer Events and Activites in and around Shediac

A day - or the entire summer - in Shediac and the surrounding area gives huge opportunities to get to know this beautiful coastal regions; enjoy the concerts and entertainment; watch and participate in the beach sports; and join in the annual festivals. And that’s not to mention the wonderful, local hospitality!

Before June is out, Shediac activities are in full swing downtown, at Pointe du Chene and at Parlee Beach.

Parlee Beach plays host to events and sports throughout the summer; there’s beach volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, rugby, football, aikido, yoga, skim board, a water race, triathlon championships, and the lifeguard championships! This Provincial Park beach is also the location for Surf-ivor and The Extreme Fun Run Car Show. (Parlee Beach at-a-glance even line-up)

For golf, Shediac has Wikiwak and then there’s Pine Needles at Grand-Barachois and Golf Bouctouche just along the coast. (Golf Guide for the region)

Shediac’s famous Giant Lobster at Rotary Park is an all year round attraction but you have to be in Shediac between 8th and 12th July to experience the Shediac Lobster Festival! For the ultimate lobster experience, be sure to consider the LobsterTales adventure - and there are many restaurants along the coast where you can dine on delicious fresh lobster - don’t forget the annual, United Church Lobster Suppers. (Lobster Guide)

This year, Magnetic Hill’s Flea Market moves home to Shediac and becomes the Giant Shediac Flea Market and - still in July - Shediac’s Fine Art and Craft Festival is staged in Pascal Poirier Park. In September, the Shediac Motorcycle Lobster Rally roars to town.

Art can be found at Pascal Poirier House, Heron Gallery, The Gabrièle, Leon Leger Gallery (Grand Barachois) and Galerie de la Plage (Aboiteau Centre, Cap-Pelé).

Live concerts - large and small - are here! There’s Family Concerts in the Park every Thursday, there’s the Annual Mega Acadian Concert, and the brilliant three-day Blues Festival. Along the coast at Barachois are Classic Rock events.

There’s yacht racing in Shediac Bay throughout the summer, lawn bowling, Exercise in the Park, and Go-Kart & stock car racing (CENTRE For Speed).

Sundays are the day to enjoy Market in the Park but if it’s a Saturday market that you are looking for then visit the Bouctouche Farmer’s Market. While in Bouctouche, Le Pays de la Sagouine and La Dune de Bouctouche are incredible places to visit and be sure to consider the Dinner Theatre productions.

Shediac and the nearby towns provide sunny, summer memories for locals and visitors year after year - and not just because of the beautiful beaches with warm waters: This vibrant community warmly welcomes visitors and invites you to come and join in our festivals and fun.

Lobster

For the best all round lobster resource for New Brunswick lobster. It's about lobster seasons, lobster festivals, eating lobster, lobster shops, how to cook lobster...

http://www.knownewbrunswick.com/Lobster/About-Lobsters-New-Brunswick-Shediac-Festivals.html

Buying lobster straight from the wharf in any of the New Brunswick fishing villages will heighten the lobster experience and there are excellent fish markets all along the Acadian coast and Fundy.
Buying from the Fish Market in town or the grocery store is a simpler option - just choose lobsters that show movement as they have to be alive immediately before cooking. Straightening out their tail to see if it springs back is good test.

Lobster needs to feels heavy for its size. Squeeze the sides of the lobster's body for a firmness that doesn't yield to pressure...

To serve lobster, the shell can be broken apart with lobster crackers to get at the meat, or the lobster can be cut in half down its centre with a strong knife. The claws can be cut open with a strong knife too. All of the lobster is edible except for the shell, the small stomach behind the head and the dark vein, running down the back of the tail. The red matter - roe - of the female lobster is considered a delicacy....

lobster

Record Expo - Live Wire, Moncton

Record Expo - Spring 2009

When: Saturday,13th June, 2009
Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1005 Main Street, Moncton

This maritime event features close to 10,000 albums for sale and if you love music then this is for you! The Record Expo is a twice yearly convention for vinyl records, record players, stereos, DVD's and T Shirts... more

Greater Moncton Excellence Awards 2009

Greater Moncton Excellence Awards 2009

The Greater Moncton Excellence Awards, sponsored by United Parcel Services of Canada Inc., is presented each October at the Delta Beauséjour. The goal of these awards is “to encourage entrepreneurship in the region and enhance the image of the region nationally by celebrating the excellence of our entrepreneurs.”

Nominations should be sent no later than 4pm on Friday, June 19th, 2009 to services@gmcc.nb.ca or by fax: 857-9209

Selection: Nominations will be submitted to a panel of judges comprised of business leaders from the Greater Moncton region. Companies may only be nominated in one category.

Excellence in Business – Sponsored by United Parcel Services of Canada Inc.:

This award will be given to a business that has been operating for 10 years or more.
more on the Excellence Awards

George LeBlanc Accordion Festival 2009

George LeBlanc Accordion Festival 2009

Date:

Friday, July 17, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009

Location: Moncton Coliseum Agrena C, Killam Drive, Moncton
The third, annual 2009 George LeBlanc Accordion Festival will be held at the Moncton Coliseum in Agrena C with a performance at the Moncton Market.

Program at-a-glance

Friday, July 17:
Moncton coliseum (Agrena C) 6pm - 11pm... more

Danny Zzzz live - Hypnotist, Illusionist, Mentalist, Magician

Danny Zzzz live - Hypnotist, Illusionist, Mentalist, Magician

When: Saturday, June 13, at 7 p.m.
Where: Riverview Arts Centre Inc., 400 Whitepine Rd. (in the high school).

Danny Zzzz first began his stage career as a musician but set his instrument aside to pursue interests in the field of broadcast radio. Having made the decision to leave broadcast radio, Danny Zzzz then went on to establish and operate a successful business franchise well known throughout southern Ontario. Following this, Danny Zzzz gathered his team and focused on a form of entertainment, which had been magically, and secretly hidden inside him for decades.

Danny has since gone on to travel throughout North America meeting and sharing magic and illusion with the likes of such greats as Lance Burton, Mac King, Nathan Burton and David Copperfield... more

Master Hypnotist Cyrus the Phenom

Master Hypnotist Cyrus the Phenom

Where: Théâtre Capitol Theatre, 811 Main Street, Moncton
When: On Friday, June 12, 2009 at 8pm

Heeee’s Back! The highly anticipated theatrical performer CYRUS the PHENOM is the hottest touring stage hypnosis show in Canada. Tearing up the country with his high N – R – G, mysterious entrances, special effects and of course side splitting laughter. Is continually blowing audiences away everywhere leaving them saying “That was the greatest, funniest, show I ever saw”.

Only the powerful use of suggestion enables volunteers to become talented musicians, hilarious ballet dancers, and Rock N Roll legends and all round stars for the night! Guests are engaged and encouraged to participate in a wide variety of demonstrations designed to leave spectators amazed and thoroughly entertained phenomena... more

Centre For Speed: Go-Kart racing Saturdays

When: Open Saturdays from 3 PM to Dark all Summer from June 20th to August 29th
Where The CENTRE for Speed, 1157 Rte 133, Grand Barachois, 5km past Parlee Beach

Cost: $10 for 25 laps around the Sprint Midget Go Kart Oval.

Ask about Stock Car rentals!! - 506 388-2415

Motorsports - Sunday Racing Events: CENTRE for Speed

Monster Madness, Demolition and Fireworks

Classic Rock Series

"The CENTRE" features great live motor sports, music concerts and more and prides itself on providing affordable family fun.

Metropolitan Opera Performance in HD at Empire Theatre, Empire 8, Trinity Drive, Moncton

Metropolitan Opera Performance in HD at Empire Theatre, Empire 8, Trinity Drive, Moncton

2009 / 2010 Season: Empire Theatres will again be presenting the Metropolitan Opera's groundbreaking series of live, high-definition performance transmissions.

All performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

OCT 10 - Tosca
Appr. 3 hours 30 minutes - 2 intermissions
James Levine; Karita Mattila, Marcelo Álvarez, Juha Uusitalo, Paul Plishka

Schedule of 2009 - 2010 HD Opera

Atlantic Truck Show, Moncton

Where: Moncton Coliseum, 377 Killam Drive, Moncton
When: Friday June 12th, and Saturday June 13th
Hours:
Friday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm

Don't miss the Atlantic Truck Show, one of Canada's "must-attend" trucking events

All types of Commercial Vehicles, Truck & Bus Coach Builders, Commercial Construction, Vehicles, Accessories, Commercial Automobile Components, Engine & Body Parts, Tyres & Retreading, Service & Workshop Equipment, Material Supplies, Fleet Management System etc. will be there!

Dubbed years ago as the "Showcase for the Trucking Industry in Atlantic Canada", the Atlantic Truck Show never disappoints. Every year we set our sights on surpassing our previous successes and every year we exceed all expectations...
more about truck show

Craught 'n' Draught Crafting at Marky’s Laundromat Espresso Bar

when: The first Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
Where: 382B St. George Street (on the corner of Cameron)

For anyone who likes to craft and drink while doing it: Anything from needlepoint, to Bedazzlers to knitting is welcome.

This Espresso Bar, situated on the corner of St. George and Cameron is NOT a laundry facility. On top of offering your favourite alcoholic drinks, you can savour specialty coffees, gourmet sandwiches and sumptuous desserts. DJ’s also play some eclectic music... more on Marky's

Moncton Golf Club and Golf Course Guide

Moncton Golf Club and Golf Course Guide is your local resource for golf courses and golf clubs in the Greater Moncton region.

Seven golf clubs are within 25 minutes of Moncton and another seven are within 50 minutes drive. This region has a wide range of excellent golf courses and these pages will help you to make the comparisons: Comparisons to find the course for your perfect day of golf and the club for your new membership.

This region has award winning and signature golf courses; friendly, local golf clubs and some outstanding value packages... There are six charity golf tournaments this year and the Royale Cup Canadian Women's Amateur Championship 2009 ... more golf information for Moncton

Tree of Hope Classic Golf Tournament 2009

When: Thursday, August 13th, 2009
Where: Royal Oaks Golf Club, 401 Royal Oaks Blvd., Moncton

Tee-off time is 1:00 p.m.
A reception and dinner will follow.

The tournament will be played according to a Texas Scramble format with four players per team. Your registration of $1200 per team includes a golf cart, a delicious lobster and steak dinner along with fun activities. Individual registrations are also welcome... more More Moncton Golf information and tournaments

About Lobsters in New Brunswick

About Lobster in New Brunswick: Everything you need to know

About Lobster | Lobster Shops & Fisheries | Select, Cook & Eat Lobster | Dine Out on Lobster | Lobster Seasons

Lobster is fished from the North East & South East New Brunswick waters and is a valuable seafood export for Canada. Here in the Maritimes, the lobster has changed in its significance over the past century or so.

Initially, lobster was a staple for local people and lobsters were so under-appreciated that in lobster season they were used as fertilizer in the fields.

Lobster processing facilities and transportation possibilities opened up the enjoyment and appreciation for lobster at the table locally, across Canada and beyond Canada. Eventually, eating, enjoying and craving lobster became widespread. Now, each lobster season is much anticipated and celebrated. The industry has developed from a basic, local food to serious business, with exports and a lively tourist attraction for the fishing regions.

On Monday, July 19th until Saturday, 24th July, 2010, the new stadium at Université de Moncton Stadium will host the World Junior Championships in Athletics - The opening ceremonies are July 19, 2010.

More than 2,000 athletes and team officials from more than 180 countries will be welcomed to the Metro Moncton Region for the Athletics Championships. The newly constructed, 10,000-seat stadium at Université de Moncton will host the events. The three-storey stadium will hold 10,000 spectators with... more on the World Championships

Annual Moncton Highland Games

This year's event promises to be even better than 2008 and offers a wider variety of events certain to appeal to all!

Highland Games are annual festivals that originated from the Scot's Celtic ancestors. The Games are a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture, particularly that of the region in Scotland known as the Scottish Highlands... more event information