5 things happening in New Brunswick this weekend
It seems that summer in New Brunswick is in full force, so why not get out and explore.
You could take a trip to Bathurst to celebrate northern New Brunswick in style or check out a metal band in Moncton.
Grab a Dooryard beer and take in some improv theatre in Woodstock.
Maybe running in a kilt is more your style, perhaps some haggis will suit your tastes?
Before you make any plans this weekend, make sure to check out what's happening in your region.
Mud City Meltdown
Mud City Meltdown, formerly known as Codiac Music Festival, is four days of free and paid shows throughout Moncton.
With a fresh face, the festival will bring to Moncton a medium-sized festival focusing on big sound with Quebec heavy-metal band Voivod headlining along with several local bands
Zaum, Eastcoast Love Story, The Backyard Devils, Stephanie Savoie, Stephen Lewis and Tyler Hache are just a few of the local acts filling stages around the city.
The festival began on Wednesday, but there are still three free shows left to catch.
One on Thursday at 7 p.m in front of City Hall with Simon Leblanc and two on Friday in Aberdeen Park with The Backyard Devils and Cy at 5 p.m., and in Oak Lane with Wescut at noon.
All other shows are $6 to $8 at the door, except for Voivod at the Tide and Boar Ballroom, which is $30 at the door.
New Brunswick Highland Games Festival
The annual New Brunswick Highland Games Festival is back at the Government House and will bring with it competitions, workshops and live entertainment.
Friday kicks off the festival with the five-kilometre kilted run in the parade square.
The Katherine Moller Trio will play in the Celidh tent at 7 p.m. on Friday.
On Saturday, visitors can check out the heavy events in the athletics field. There will also be pipe band and drumming competitions and a kids corner with mini golf and face painting.
A whiskey-tasting workshop will be held at 3 p.m. Evening entertainment will be Mason's Tender and Bottoms Up.
There will be intermediate and premier dance competitions at 10 a.m. and noon on Sunday.
A haggis hunting and eating workshop at 2 p.m., a beer-tasting workshop at 2 p.m., with Picaroon's Sean Dunbar and a Scottish sing-along at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults for two days, $12 for one day. Children under 17 are $16 for two days and $10 for one. A family pass is $60 for two days and $30 for one.
Military and seniors over 60 years of age are the same as the children's prices.
Dooryard Arts Festival
The annual Dooryard Arts Festival takes place in Woodstock and it's four days of art, stories, theatre music and dance. It takes place from July 23 to 26.
This is the 7th annual installment of the festival and will include an art gallery all weekend featuring local artists, a youth events on the Picaroons main stage.
A free stage with Tumba Sound, Soaring Sirens and MOROHUBU. There will be improv by Fredericton's Hot Garbage Players on Saturday at 7 p.m.
The Picaroons main stage will feature MAUNO, The Motorleague, The Kendra Gale Band and HOPE on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m.
Ben Caplan and The Casual Smokers, Kill Chicago, Pretty Archie and Elephants Gerald will be Friday night and Saturday night will have Roxy and The Underground Soul Sound, The Beaters, Erin Costelo and Tracy & The Hurtin' Hearts.
Festival passes can be purchased online for $100, $25 for students with valid identification. The main stage is $20 for Thursday and Friday, $25 for Saturday.
Lamèque International Baroque Music Festival
The 40th annual music festival celebrates early North American music and allows musicians and enthusiasts to share ideas and enjoy the music of the past.
The festival focuses on music from the period 1600 to 1760, all performed on period instruments.
Most of the performances are done in churches such as the Saint-Cécile Church in Petite-Rivière-de-l'Île for optimal acoustics.
The festival includes vocal and instrumental pieces featuring choral works, chamber music and solo pieces by renowned musicians.
Past performers have been the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal, the Toronto Consort and violonist Rachel Podger.
There will be four concerts from Thursday July 23 to Saturday July 25, including an early music competition on Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online for $33 to $38.
The fourth concert is sold out.
Bathurst Hospitality Days
Bathurst Hospitality Days is one of the largest festivals in northern New Brunswick and takes place throughout the city with entertainment, art, open houses, a parade, fireworks, a car show and a Miss Canada visit.
All weekend there will be free local church visits on Thursday, a free open house of the Doucet Hennessey House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An art show and sale at the Bay Breeze Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will also be activities for kids at the Bathurst Youth Centre from 2 p.m to 6 p.m.
The Road Hammers will perform Thursday night at the Caisse Populaire Chaleur Stage for $35 at 8:30 p.m. The show is 19+.
Friday will be the same events as Thursday with a glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt at the Bathurst Youth Centre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Acadian party will take place for $30 with Offenbach at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday is the car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a Medieval-themed tea from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. a the Doucet Hennessey House. The evening show will be a Journey tribute band, The Ultimate Escape for $30.
Sunday finishes off the festival with the xtreme challenge downhill rollerblade race at 7 p.m. and the parade of lights at 9:15 p.m., and fireworks at 10:15 p.m.
The weekend is free except for the Caisse Populaire Chaleur Stage.
Do you have any interesting community events coming up this summer? Email and let us know.
