225 Program

Official Anniversary Celebrations

Celebrate Our City!

 

We're going to get the party started on May 18th - the official anniversary of the City of Saint John.

 It's our 225th anniversary and the city will be buzzing with activities all day, culminating with Making History! An Original City Production - a big show at Harbour Station that features performances by local bands, actors, dancers and choirs.

 And it's all FREE.

 Saint John 225 is proud to present a full day of events in the city's historic Uptown, beginning at 10 a.m. with the unveiling of the refurbished King Street clock.

 Highlights of our day of celebrations includes:

 Making History! An Original City Production - We're celebrating our city with a night of song, dance and fun. Come out to enjoy a great FREE show that features performances from:

  • 3rd Field Artillery Regiment Band
  • Aboriginal Drummers
  • Before the Mast
  • Clinton Charlton & The Formers
  • Clyde Wray
  • Connection Dance Works
  • Harbourview Choral Ensemble
  • InterAction Children's Theatre Company
  • Lorne Power 
  • Rothesay Ballet School
  • Tradition

 St. Mary's Band - They've been a part of Saint John festivities for over 100 years. Come out and enjoy their music as they celebrate the city with a short concert at 10:15 a.m. at Loyalist Plaza and provide the musical backdrop for the traditional Loyalist Day ceremony.

 The Loyalist Association of Saint John - Honour the city's roots at the Loyalist Day ceremony, which commemorates the signing of the City's Charter on May 18th 1785.

 The Loyalists, refugees from the American Revolutionary War, had begun to arrive in the harbour in 1783 and created two communities - Parrtown and Carleton.

 In 1785 they came together to create the City of Saint John - the first incorporated city in British North America.

 The 3rd Field Artillery Regiment - Canada's Original Artillery Regiment. Nicknamed 'The Loyal Company', the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was created in 1793 and was the first artillery unit in British North America and the third-ever created in the British Commonwealth.

 Through its history the regiment's members have served in the War of 1812, both world wars, the Korean War and most recently as United Nations peacekeepers and as part of Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

 The Regiment fires a 21-gun salute annually on May 18th in recognition of its long service and connection to the City of Saint John.

 The Official Charter of the Saint John City, dated May 18, 1785 - The document at the heart of our celebrations. Come see an important part of Saint John history. The Charter is a large book, containing the original bylaws establishing the City and its governance structure. It is signed by the members of the first Saint John Common Council.

 The Charter is stored in the City's archives and is rarely available for public viewing. It will be on display, flanked by a Saint John Police Force honour guard, in the atrium of the Saint John Free Public Library.

 May 18th Anniversary Celebrations

Schedule of Events

All day - Original Saint John Charter on display - Saint John Free Public Library

10 a.m. - Loyalist Day Celebrations - City Hall/Loyalist Plaza/Market Square

12:00 p.m. - 3rd Field Artillery Regiment's 21-Gun Salute - Puglsey Wharf

1 p.m. - The Saint John Story - New Brunswick Museum

5:00 p.m. - Live at 5 broadcast with Starr Dobson and Bruce Frisko - Market Square

6:00 p.m. - CTV News at 6:00 live broadcast with Steve Murphy - Market Square

7 p.m. - Making History! An Original City Production - Harbour Station

 

 





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