Exploring New Brunswick's September Scene

New Brunswick is a Canadian province that borders Québec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and the US state of Maine. Its top attractions include the Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park, the Fundy Trail Parkway, the Saint John City Market, and the Irving Nature Park.

September in New Brunswick offers a mix of summer and fall activities. The days are slightly cooler, but the province's amazing views and sights remain. Here are some highlights of things to do in New Brunswick in September:

- The Albert County Exhibition, one of the province's oldest agricultural fairs, takes place in Riverside-Albert over four days in mid-September.

- The Annual Elsipogtog First Nation Powwow celebrates Aboriginal heritage and culture with singing, feasts, dances, chants, and prayers.

- The New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition, the province's largest agricultural fair, has been a tradition for over 185 years and offers games, rides, and agricultural events.

- The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival features world-class musicians and up-and-coming Atlantic Canadian artists performing across Fredericton for five days.

- The Fredericton Fall Classic Road Race includes 5km, 10km, half marathon, and youth distance events.

- The Queens County Fair attracts thousands of visitors for agricultural fun, live music, horticultural exhibits, camping, and 4-H displays.

- The Sackville Fall Fair marks the start of autumn with live music, a petting zoo, wagon rides, and a corn maze.

- The Atlantic International Balloon Fiesta features hot air balloons, balloon rides, a car show, and a vendor market.

- The King's Square Swing Dance lets you learn how to swing dance while enjoying live jazz music.

- The Saint John Beer Tour takes visitors to breweries and ale houses, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process.

- The Saint John Night Market, held on Thursday evenings, offers delicious food, drinks, and unique crafts under a canopy of lights.

- The Acadian Coastal Drive is a scenic drive showcasing the fall colours of New Brunswick and its rich Acadian heritage.

These are just a few of the many exciting activities and events that take place in New Brunswick in September, offering a mix of cultural, historical, and natural experiences.

Explore the Bay of Fundy and Fundy National Park

The Bay of Fundy is known for having the highest tides in the world, which occur twice daily. The powerful tides have carved a coastline marked by dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and fantastic rock formations. The Bay of Fundy is also a prime feeding ground for whales, with as many as 12 species found in the summer.

Fundy National Park, located on the Bay of Fundy near the village of Alma, is home to a rugged coastline, the highest tides in the world, and more than 25 waterfalls. The park covers an area of 207 square kilometres along Goose Bay, the northwestern branch of the Bay of Fundy. The park was created in 1946 and officially opened in 1950.

Fundy National Park offers a large trail system of over 30 trails with soaring coastal views. There are also two interesting rock formations in the park: the grey and beige Owls Head cliffs, composed of sandstone, and Point Wolfe, which holds the oldest rocks in the park formed by volcanoes and the movements of the continents.

The park is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including over 260 species of birds, various amphibians and reptiles (including three rare types of salamanders), and nearly 40 species of mammals. Some of the mammals commonly found in the park include eastern moose, white-tailed deer, eastern coyotes, chipmunks, red squirrels, and snowshoe hares.

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Fundy National Park. At low tide, visitors can explore the ocean floor, where a variety of sea creatures cling to life. At high tide, the ocean floor disappears under 15 metres of saltwater, and visitors can paddle in a kayak as the waters rise. The park also features a golf course, a heated saltwater swimming pool, and three campgrounds. There are also over 100 kilometres of hiking and biking trails, including the popular Dickson Falls trail.

Outside the park, visitors can explore the fishing village of Alma, known for its fresh seafood. The village of St. Martins, located near the Fundy Trail Parkway, is also worth a visit. St. Martins offers two covered bridges, sea caves, craft shops, and tours of the Fundy coast.

Visit the Saint John City Market

The Saint John City Market is Canada's oldest continuing farmer's market and a National Historic Site. It is open all year round, from Monday to Saturday, and offers a unique shopping experience. The market is alive with sounds, aromas, and colourful displays of fresh produce, meats, and seafood. It is the place to go in Saint John for fresh meats and the best fish and chips. You can also find handmade crafts and international delicacies, including butchers, bakers, fruit peddlers, sausage makers, fishmongers, and delicatessens. There are also pop-up exhibits, community events, art installations, children's activities, product tastings, and workshops.

The market is housed in a beautiful historic building that was completed in 1876, just a year before the Great Fire of 1877 destroyed much of the city. It is located in the uptown commercial district of Saint John, which is known for its impressive Victorian architecture.

The market is a great place to try local specialties, such as dulse (a traditional seaweed snack) and Nanaimo bars. You can also find unique gifts made by local artists, including jewellery, pottery, and handmade masks.

The market is within walking distance of the cruise ship docks and there is parking available on South Market Street. It is wheelchair accessible, although it is quite steep, so it is recommended to enter through the Charlotte Street entrance and exit through Germain Street.

See the Reversing Falls Rapids

The Reversing Falls Rapids are a series of rapids on the Saint John River, located in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high, and this occurs twice daily. The rapids are created by a series of underwater ledges that roil the water in both directions, posing a significant navigation hazard.

The Reversing Falls have been an important industrial site for over a century. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is currently used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The railway bridge crosses the gorge immediately downstream from the falls, parallel to the Reversing Falls Road Bridge.

The Reversing Falls Rapids are a sight to behold. Visitors can witness the power of nature as the high tide of the Bay of Fundy reverses the flow of the mighty Saint John River, even as it pushes through a gorge formed by the collision of continents millions of years ago. The resulting waves and whirlpools can be viewed from Fallsview and Wolastoq parks, offering a bird's-eye perspective of this incredible natural phenomenon.

To fully appreciate the Reversing Falls Rapids, it is recommended to allow enough time to observe both high and low tides. During low tide, water rushes into the bay, while at high tide, the water flows out, reversing direction. The viewing platform directly across the rapids from the Skywalk provides optimal viewing, and visitors are advised to capture the directional changes through video or photography.

The Reversing Falls Bridge is another vantage point for observing the intense rush of water. Additionally, the nearby Fallsview Park is home to the Stonehammer Geopark, the only UNESCO-listed global geopark in North America. Here, visitors can learn about the collision of Precambrian marble from South America with igneous rock from the African plate and witness the work of glaciers in carving the river's path.

The Reversing Falls Rapids offer a unique and fascinating experience, providing insight into the industrial history of the region and the incredible force of nature.

Check out the Irving Nature Park

The Irving Nature Park is a 600-acre site created by J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) to help protect an environmentally significant area. It is located on the west side of Saint John, just minutes from downtown, and is a favourite for over 5 million visitors. The park features beautiful views of the Fundy coastline and is a great place to experience the various ecosystems of the Southern New Brunswick coastline.

The park features 11 km of rugged Bay of Fundy coastline, six different ecosystems with a diversity of flora and fauna, eight walking trails of varying lengths, a boardwalk extending into the salt marsh, a seal observation deck, and a lookout tower that offers a 360-degree view of the land and sea. The park is also home to one of the province's richest marine ecosystems and is a traditional staging site for migratory and marine birds.

The Irving Nature Park offers something for everyone, with activities such as hiking, biking, driving, and walking trails. The park also has accessible washrooms, barbecues, and a children's forest with a playground and life-size mazes. The hiking trails are well-groomed and well-marked, making it a great option for families and nature enthusiasts alike.

The park is open from May 1 to October 31 and offers free interactive educational programs and activities, as well as free picnic sites and gas barbecues. With its diverse landscapes, activities, and wildlife, the Irving Nature Park is a must-visit destination when exploring New Brunswick in September.

Go to the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival

Fredericton comes alive each September with the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival (now known as the Harvest Music Festival), featuring hundreds of world-class performers across dozens of stages. The festival includes blues, jazz, world music, electric blues, Cajun, and funk, catering to all musical tastes. The festival is conveniently located in Fredericton's beautiful and historic downtown, with venues including four dedicated tents, five outdoor "FreeHarvest" venues, and 11 official pubs and clubs.

The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival has been a Fredericton tradition since 1991, when it was held over four days in various venues around downtown, including the Boyce Farmer's Market. Since 2000, part of Queen Street has been closed to traffic during the festival, allowing for a more expansive and immersive experience. The festival has continued to grow and evolve, now spanning six days and featuring dozens of acts.

The 2024 Harvest Festival will take place from September 10-15 and promises to be a musical journey on Canada's East Coast. Headliners include Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers, and Colin James & The Little Big Band. Other notable performers include Joanna Connor and the Wrecking Crew, Friends of the Brothers, and Laney Jones & The Spirits.

Whether you're a local or a visitor, the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival is a must-attend event in New Brunswick in September. It's a chance to celebrate music, community, and the vibrant culture of Fredericton and the surrounding area. Mark your calendars and get ready to dance, sway, and funk the night away!

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