Thank You for an Incredible Season
A Message from Our President :
As I take a moment to look back on this past season, I can’t help but feel a mix of pride, gratitude, and a touch of disbelief at how fast the months have flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were gearing up for those first sunny days in May, and now here we are, wrapping up another unforgettable year. This season has been truly special, and as I reflect on how far we’ve come over the last three years, I’m incredibly grateful for every visitor, vendor, and team member who’s been part of this amazing journey with us.
The season got off to a fantastic start as we welcomed our first cruise ship and celebrated Vicky Day Weekend with over 60 other Saint John businesses. The energy and turnout set the stage for an incredible year ahead. We hosted over 80 events this season, including amazing partnerships with Ribfest 506, the City of Saint John’s Canada Day Celebrations, CultureFest, Dia de los Muertos, Acadian Day Celebrations, SJ Pride and so many more. It’s an incredible feeling to see how the community has embraced the AREA 506 Container Village as a place to come together.
We welcomed over 400,000 visitors this summer, opening our gates to welcome local residents, tourists, and cruise passengers for local shopping, events, concerts, and casual hangs to enjoy random sunny afternoons with a cold beverage. “Festival season” was another strong success this summer, starting with our second annual Boxcar Country Festival in July, followed by our most successful AREA 506 Festival since we started in 2016. (If you’re doing the math — yes, next year marks our 10th festival!)
It was our third year in operation at the Waterfront Container Village, but certainly the strongest year across our vendor team. Over 30 businesses set up shop this season, most of which are local, entrepreneurial businesses looking to start their bricks-and-mortar journey. As we close up, we take pride in discussing our partners’ plans for growth, whether they choose to move into a permanent location in Saint John or continue to build their business in the Village. The feedback from locals and tourists was almost unanimously positive, and this is largely attributable to the amazing vendors who show up every day to create incredible shopping experiences for our visitors.
I wanted to bring attention to the many amazing people and groups that brought dreams, ideas, and events to our office this year. I’ve come to realize that the best places to live are those that foster an environment that supports incredible events and experiences. We need more events in this region, and we’re ecstatic to be a small part of city-wide events like the Germain St. Open (30 years and still going!), Mrs. Roper Romp (such a blast for a good cause!), Dia de los Muertos (a creative highlight for me), Moonlight Bazaar (in my opinion, the best Uptown party ever thrown), and the beloved Zombie Walk (which freaked out so many people, but in a good way).
It feels as though there’s an amazing sense of momentum in this city, and although events and activities only play a part, they are vital to a city’s sense of identity, pride, and brand. As we look forward to 2025, my ask is a simple one: that everyone in our region who enjoyed themselves at an event this year tells two friends. We’re at a time when we could all use a little positivity — spread the word about your favorite restaurant, event, or concert in our great city, and do your part to get more people off the couch and engaged in what’s happening. Here on the Waterfront, we’ve seen the opening of Ihtoli-maqahamok — The Gathering Space at the Boardwalk and amazing progress with the Fundy Quay project, including what I’d consider a breathtaking walking path that gives every resident a whole new perspective of the Saint John Harbour. Watching the transformation has been inspiring, and I get excited about what’s next.
For six months each year, we get to watch the Village transform with the seasons. In spring, there’s this fresh energy — everyone is ready to shake off the winter and dive into something new. Summer is always a whirlwind, packed with events, busy weekends, and so many memorable moments. When fall comes around, it’s cozy and relaxed as everyone soaks up those last warm outdoor days. And now, with November here, it’s a little bittersweet to see the Village winding down for the year.
As we close out this season, I’m already excited for what’s to come. While we can’t reveal everything just yet, I can promise next year will be even more exciting. We’re building new partnerships, planning fantastic events, and finding ways to make this place feel even more like a shared space for our community. If you’ve got an idea or something you’d like to discuss — email hidden; JavaScript is required to me or anyone on the AREA 506 team.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this season unforgettable — from the visitors who brought their energy, dogs, and smiles, to the vendors who poured their hearts into their work, and to our hardworking team who kept everything running smoothly. This place wouldn’t be what it is without all of you.
As we head into the off-season, stay tuned for updates and keep an eye out for what’s next. Next year will mark the 10th AREA 506 Music Festival, and I can’t wait to welcome you all back to celebrate, create new memories, and share new experiences. Until then, thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
Ray Gracewood
President, AREA 506