🐰🍹 Easter Bunny's Got Tequila Tickets!

Good morning, Saint John! Long weekend mode: activated! We’re off Friday and Monday, making the most of the bonus days to eat Reese’s eggs for breakfast. Back in your inbox Tuesday…hopefully with less melted chocolate on the keyboard. 🎉

Here’s the lowdown for the day:

• KV’s summer shuttle 🚐

• Win Tequila Expo tickets! 🍹

• Easter weekend preview 🐣

Happy Easter!

-Geoff Walsh, Publisher

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NEWS NOTES

🏗️ Scrapyard shuffle may be coming

Saint John is tightening the bolts on where scrapyards can set up shop. A proposed zoning change the noise, smells, and general metal-on-metal chaos these places can bring. It’s not directly linked to the smoky AIM fire of 2023, but after that whole situation, nobody’s mad about clearer rules. The change won’t affect existing yards (so Jamie’s Scrap and AIM East can carry on), but it could steer future setups far from residential streets. Council takes it up May 5.

🚌 Valley may get its own summer wheels

Rothesay is ready to hop aboard a new summer shuttle plan - and Quispamsis might not be far behind. The towns are teaming up to launch a seven-day-a-week daytime shuttle that would loop through key rec and shopping spots and connect with the Comex bus, making it easier to get around the valley or spend the day in the city (without worrying about gas or parking). Stops are still being mapped out, with launch planned for June.

🙌 Town says thanks to the doers

Quispamsis rolled out the red carpet (well, maybe more of a Council Chamber carpet) for its 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards on Tuesday night. Eight locals were honoured for giving their time, energy, and probably a few spare evenings to make the community better. 

Hats off to Megan McLaughlin, Melissa Daly, Steve Orr, Paul Dunnett, Linda McCarten, Mike Brennan - and shoutout to Pamela Carey and Meghan McConchie, who couldn’t make it but were still celebrated in spirit.

🐣 Holiday hours on deck

Heads-up: Saint John Transit is taking Good Friday off. No buses tomorrow (April 18), but regular service rolls on through the rest of the weekend, including Easter Monday. City customer service desks are also closed Friday and Monday, so save those municipal questions ‘til Tuesday. The City Market is closed Friday but open Saturday.

🏆 Top Clicks of the Week

Monday – Human Development Council’s federal candidate forums (watch the recordings)
Tuesday – Main Street upgrade contract awarded: here’s what it’ll look like
Wednesday – All the ways to vote in the federal election

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PARTNERSHIP
💥 CONTEST TIME

🍹 Win Tickets to the Tequila Expo! 🎉

Get ready for Saint John's first-ever Tequila Expo, happening April 25th and 26th at the Saint John Trade & Convention Centre! We’ve got a pair of tickets up for grabs, and you could be sipping tequila and mezcal, grooving to live mariachi, munching on tacos from Toro Taco and tasty bites from Casa Latina and even checking out some Lucha Libre wrestling. Sounds like a blast, right?

Here’s how to enter:
📲 Head to our Instagram, drop a cactus 🌵 or cocktail 🍸 emoji in the comments, and tag who you’re taking with you! That’s it!

We’ll name our winner right here on Tuesday, April 22.

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss out on this 19+ event!

EVENTS
What’s Happenin’

WEEKEND PREVIEW
🐰 Long weekend plans still scrambled? Don’t worry, we’ve hatched a few. Here’s what’s hopping around town this Easter.

TONIGHT

What’s in the Box? | April 17
Saint John Art Centre’s popular fundraiser returns live with a night of food, drink, and mystery! From 7-9pm Thursday, guests can mingle, snack, and, if they choose, enter a draw to buy a mystery box for $100. Inside? An original artwork by one of over 50 local pros. Tickets are $75 (includes a $25 tax receipt) and support artists’ fees and programs at the Saint John Arts Centre.

FRIDAY

Glass Roots Easter Egg Hunt | April 18–20
Glass Roots is hiding Easter eggs all over Uptown - and you're invited to hunt them down! Follow along on their Instagram stories for daily clues, then lace up your walking shoes and explore the South Central Peninsula. If you spot an egg, snap a pic and tag @glassrootscanada to be featured. No sign-up needed,  just show up, scroll, and stroll.

Good Friday Mud Run | April 18
The mud is calling! Off-roaders will gather at the Murray Street bog in Grand Bay-Westfield at 11am for the annual Good Friday Mud Run - a full throttle ride through bogs, power lines, tunnels, and trails, ending at the Cranberry Shack. It's a local tradition for 4x4 fans (not a footrace, despite the name), and everyone’s welcome to roll through or just watch the action.

Steve-O: Super Dummy! Tour | April 18
Spend your Good Friday with a guy who once stapled his own… well, you know.. Jackass legend Steve-O brings his Super Dummy! tour to the Imperial Theatre for one wild, uncensored multimedia comedy show. Doors at 6pm, show at 7pm and it’s 19+ for obvious reasons. Expect stunts, stories, and stuff you probably shouldn’t try at home. 

SATURDAY

Hop to the Market | April 19
The Saint John City Market is pulling out all the stops this Saturday with Easter treats for the whole fam. Swing by between 10am and 3pm for food and drink specials, free Easter crafts, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and even a hopscotch contest. There’s an Easter basket prize pack up for grabs too 

Bad Words for a Good Cause | April 19
Laugh it up for a good cause at Wasted Day’s Bad Words for a Good Cause comedy night, raising funds for the Compassionate Grief Centre. Starting at 7pm, the show features local comic Jon Forward, Moncton’s Jeff Pinnell, and host Jeremy from Fredericton. Expect sharp jokes, strange truths, and a room full of awkward laughter - all for $15. 

Bottle Drive & Bunny Pics | April 19
The Lacrosse NB U17 girls team is fundraising this Saturday with a bottle drive starting at 8am and a drop-off spot at Kent West from 10am–1pm. Swing by with your empties or toss them a donation and snag a photo with the Easter Bunny while you’re at it. 

KV Fire vs Police Charity Game | April 19
The rivalry’s heating up on ice! The 3rd annual KV Fire vs Police charity hockey game hits the Q-Plex this Saturday in support of KV Domestic Violence Outreach. Entry is by donation, and there’ll be a chuck-a-puck, 50/50, and more ways to give. Puck drops at 6:30pm!

SUNDAY

Kids' Easter Egg Hunt at The Bubbly Cup | April 20
Hop on over to The Bubbly Cup for an egg-citing Easter event! Kids aged 1-10 can enjoy egg hunts, cupcake decorating, and fun painting activities. Don’t forget to wear your Easter costume and make the most of this festive day! Limited slots available, so be sure to message or ask a bobarista to register your child. 

Music Bingo at Woodchucks | April 20
Wrap up your weekend right with Music Bingo at Woodchucks Axe Throwing from 2-4pm! It’s free to play…just bring your phone, and get ready for tunes, prizes, and drink specials. The more songs you know, the closer you’ll get to calling BINGO! Grab your crew and make this Sunday Funday one for the books!

First Page Workshop at The Write Cup | April 20
Join The Write Cup Bookstore Cafe for a workshop focused on perfecting your manuscript’s first page! Whether you're a budding author or just need a little polish, this session will have you working together to make that first impression count. Bring a printed copy of the first few pages of your manuscript and a pen or pencil. Space is limited so be sure to RSVP.

Got an Event to Share?

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YOUR PICS
WHERE WERE WE WEDNESDAY?

📍Yesterday we shared this pic of these iconic sculptures which stand tall at Wolastoq Park. Shout out to Nancy Steele, Jenn Burnes, Ken Craft for knowing exactly where we were! And thanks to everyone who sent their guesses in!

Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!

SIDE NOTES

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Thanks!

Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone that remembers getting a big chocolate egg with their name written on it 🌷.

-Geoff Walsh - Publisher

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