What to do with the kids in Moncton this weekend (Sept 1-4, 2023)
Hello everyone! Welcome back to routine! Whether or not you have kids in school, I feel like September is always a reset month – and it’s a busy one, so let’s get going on what’s happening in & around Greater Moncton this month! (We’ll add to this post weekly, so be sure to check back often – and don’t forget to tell your friends to check us out, too!)
FESTIVAL FOCUS
River of Pride is holding its annual parade on Saturday, September 2. This is one of our family’s favourite outings every year; the parade begins at the corner of Foundry & Main in downtown Moncton, and moves along Main Street until it turns down Downing and heads to Riverfront Park where you can enjoy a festival market. You might want to stick around the PRIDE Concert, followed by fireworks after 10pm.
RELATED: Rally for Policy 713 at La Station on September 10 (World Suicide Prevention Day)
Moncton’s African cultures are the focus of We Are One Afro Festival, happening Sept 1 & 2, including an outdoor market & celebration by the Avenir Centre on Saturday from 4-7pm.
If you’re up for a little road trip, September is the annual Seaglass Festival on Campobello Island. We can’t begin to say enough great things about this little island & all it does; if you haven’t visited yet, add it to the must do list soon!
Speaking of road trips, if you’re a fan of Sheree Fitch (and who isn’t?!), you might want to know that Mabel Murple’s Book Shoppe & Dreamery is opening for the long weekend in September! We were lucky enough to visit a few years ago; magical!! (It’s a little more than two hours to drive there from Moncton.)
The annual Labour Day Picnic will be held at Centennial Park (near the splash pad/playground) on Sunday, Sept 3, 11am-2pm. Always lots of games & goodies on the BBQ, thanks to the Moncton & District Labour Council Unions.
The Atlantic Balloon Fiesta is happening in Sussex Sept 7 – 10, with all kinds of great fun!
Everyone is invited to the Bouctouche First Nation Pow Wow on September 9 & 10. Grand Entry is at 1pm each day.
Lutz Mountain Heritage Centre is planning a Fall Festival Sept 13 & Farmer Brown’s Greenhouse is hosting a fall market Sept 24th; watch for more details to come.
Maple Street Park in Petitcodiac will be hosting a celebration Sept 23 for the Grand Opening of the Holmes Brook observation deck and natural park, as well as their new disc golf course. There will be a BBQ, ice cream, live music, bouncy castles, miniature ponies, and a chance to pay to go up in a tethered hot air balloon! Stop by the Petty International Raceway the same day to check out the Super Mario Bus!
SUNFLOWER SEASON!
Trueman’s Farm is always a great outing, with their obstacle course, giant pillow for jumping, games, wagon rides, train rides, & amazing ice cream. Right now you can also enjoy the sunflower maze! (Open 11am – 9pm throughout the September long weekend, just outside Sackville.)
Another fantastic sunflower spot is The Milton Mile Farm on Dawson Road (just outside Riverview). Check their Facebook group for details; they’re usually open 10am-5pm Saturday & Sunday. (And while the sunflowers will be over soon, they have an awesome corn maze, too!)
And while they might not be a sunflower spot, you might want a reminder that Verger Belliveau Orchard is open for the long weekend (including Monday) with fresh corn, apples, & more!
MUSIC, MOVIES, & MORE
If you have someone interested in ringette, stop by Place 1604 on Saturday, Sept 2 from 9am-11:45am, for a free trial demonstration.
Still in Dieppe, GlitchFest will be hosting a board game (with a dash of video game) afternoon at Rotary Park Pavillion on Saturday, Sept 2.
Rising Tide Festival is hosting Music on Main Street in Alma; Sept 2 & 3 you can hear the awesome Paul Toner performing outside Outpost Alma.
The Sussex Drive In is showing Strays (a movie about dogs, but a raunchy R rated one, FYI) & Oppenheimer Sept 1-3 (with fireworks on the 3rd), followed by Grand Turismo & Equalizer III Sept 8 & 9, then Sound of Freedom & Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret on Sept 15 & 16.
Shediac’s Centre for Speed is hosting the Atlantic Monster Truck Nationals Sept 2 & 3; demolition derby, pit party, a chance to meet the drivers and maybe even go for a ride!
If fast cars are your family’s thing, you might already know the Moncton Motor Sport Club is hosting another autoslalom event Sunday, Sept 3 at the Moncton Coliseum parking lot.
And if you enjoy specialty vehicles, consider a visit to the Canadian Tire parking lot in Dieppe on Sunday night for a Meet & Greet Show.
MORE TO COME – If you’re a Pickle Planet regular, you know we’ll be coming back to this post to include all the ongoing attractions & ideas for fun family outings, as well as adding more September events. (We were just running late & wanted to get this out into the world n Sept 1 for this weekends’ events.) If you have something that appeals to families happening soon, let us know!