Fogfest returns to Campobello

The 12th edition of Campobello Island’s Fogfest took place over the New Brunswick Day weekend, bringing a vibrant mix of music and arts to the Bay of Fundy. Since its inception in 2013, Fogfest has grown into a beloved, free annual event that celebrates the island’s rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty, including the iconic fog. Festival-goers enjoy diverse musical performances, cultural presentations, and art exhibits set against the picturesque backdrop of Campobello at various venues across the island.

On Friday during Fogfest, long-time island residents Dennis and Margaret Haire donated a 175-year-old book to the Campobello Museum. This leather-bound book details the tenants, renters, and expenses of Admiral William Fitz William Owen, the island's sole proprietor until he died in 1857. Owen, a descendant of Captain William Owen, Campobello's first British settler, is buried at St. Anne's Cemetery and has his portrait hanging in the museum. The Haires discovered this unique historical book at a local yard sale.

"I've always been able to find things that people are getting rid of or going to yard sales, and actually, this was just at a sale, and they said, 'Oh, I think it's something about the island, but we're not interested,'" said Dennis Haire. "I looked at it and I thought, 'Wow, this is quite a fascinating book.' I was familiar with the Owen story here, so I bought immediately."

The Haires' donation significantly enriches the museum's collection, providing deeper insights into the island's history. Fanina Alexander of the Campobello Museum says that both locals and visitors are captivated by exploring the museum, which beautifully chronicles the island's unique past.

"I think it's important because it gives you a timeline of the history of Campobello Island way back from the Passamaquoddy native populations that were here only in the summertime to fish and collect shells," said Alexander. "And then going through the French invasion and the French settlements, the Acadians came here. And after that, we had the Owens, which are a big part of the history of Campobello Island."

KIRA Amphitheatre hosts New Brunswick's Talent

On Saturday in St. Andrews, KIRA Amphitheatre hosted the second annual "New Brunswick's Talent" Contest. Eleven performers and group ensembles—from musicians and dancers to a magician—took the stage at the iconic outdoor theatre to compete for the $5,000 grand prize. I had the honour of being one of the three judges of the talent competition alongside renowned entertainer Normand Hector and comedian Jeff Irwin. After the judges selected the top four contenders, it was up to the audience to determine the winner. First place and $5000 went to 11-year-old singer Iris Lloyd of Heartland who blew the crowd away with her performance of "You Say." Congratulations, Iris. You are truly phenomenal. 

Ministers Island hosts RAILFest

LEGO Creations filled the Bathhouse of Minister's Island last week as members of the Maritime Lego User Group hurried to complete Lego trains, stations, and historic architecture in time for New Brunswick Day weekend.

"We have a really nice little mock here that is a representative model of the McAdam train station, which Van Horne envisaged as the gateway into Canada by rail, as it was when it was originally built," said Patrick Bourgoin of the Maritime LEGO Users Group. "It's been expanded since, but I took the original design and condensed it down into a Lego model that fits into the city."

RAILFest featured many Van Horne-inspired Lego displays, like the functioning train and railway made from over 100,000 Lego bricks. One of the things that makes RAILFest so unique is the interactive nature of the event. In the Bathhouse, attendees found thousands of LEGO bricks to create their own Van Horn-inspired LEGO builds.