As province goes green, Fredericton to host N.B. Day celebrations

Get ready to celebrate New Brunswick Day with live music, large crowds and fireworks.

After the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on public festivities for the holiday last year, the provincial government, in collaboration with the City of Fredericton and St. Mary's First Nation, will be hosting 12 hours of events around the city beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday.

"Being the capital city … I would think that it's the place to celebrate the opening to green, and in addition to the celebrations, it's also a way to say thanks to everyone who has helped get us to this place, particularly front-line workers, but just all the residents of New Brunswick," Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers said during Monday evening's regular council meeting.

The event is scheduled to happen just three days after New Brunswick is set to end the emergency order, effectively ending COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and moving the province into the green phase of its recovery.

According to a schedule put together by the provinial government, events will begin at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's First Nation's old reserve grounds and include an elder's blessing, drumming by Sisters of the Drum, music from Cole Hatty, and artisans with traditional crafts.

Events will then move to the green between the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and the Bill Thorpe Walking Bridge and will include performances by the Calithumpians and other live performers, activities for children and formal ceremonies.

The walking bridge will also be used as the site of an exhibit for local artists to showcase their work, according to the agenda package.

A live music stage will be set up on Secretary Lane, and performances there will run from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

Fireworks will be launched from the Westmorland Street Bridge at 9:45 p.m.

Some roads will be closed to accommodate the events, including the bridge from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Monday, to allow for the fireworks show.

"It's been really wonderful organizing this because it's been a multi-partnered organizing committee, and I would say we've had a lot of fun," Rogers said.

"It's been exciting to work together on something so positive, celebrating our province right here in the capital city," she said.

Rogers said planning for the event has been going on for about six weeks, with much of it contingent on the province upping its vaccination numbers and moving to the green phase of its reopening.

In a news release, the Government of New Brunswick invited the public to take part in the festivities to honour the province's history, cultures and achievements.

"This year, a special focus will be on Stepping Forward for My New Brunswick – a celebration of how far we've come as a province since the start of the pandemic," the release said.