40th RJ Festival Days, Harbourfest & More

July 25, 2025

Today (Friday) is the last day to enter the 1st annual Colouring Contest! - River John Festival Days, sponsored by TNSN

Welcome!

It never ceases to amaze me how many events we can squeeze into a two week period. There is so much going on along the North Shore this summer, and I hope that you’re getting a chance to soak it all in. This week I have particularly enjoyed the Afternoon Tea at the Wallace and Area Museum and regular breakfasts on the verandah at River John Festival Days, but that’s just scratching the surface.

Speaking of which, the River John Community Action Society has launched a cookbook, “Flavours of River John and Beyond” which is available widely for $20. I am giving away a copy to anyone who can share a photo or ‘nugget’ (very short story) about an eating establishment along the North Shore that no longer exists.

I am also looking forward to the 10th Anniversary Variety Concert at The Grace Arts Centre and I have a pair of tickets to give away to that show - just email me with your favourite way to enjoy raspberries this summer.

P.S. my apologies to the Pugwash Fire Dept - the paper edition of TNSN incorrectly announced their Mackerel Tournament from August 16-17 … it will be for mackerel only, not striped bass.

Race to 1000 - We’re at 891 subscribers! Each time we add 100 subscribers, we will have a draw for a prize from a local business. All subscribers will be entered in the draw, and if you have referred someone by forwarding this email and them subscribing, you will receive a bonus ballot. Please share :)

A Few Nuggets … ICYMI

  • TriCounty Ford has launched the “Out Back Carwash”, located, as you’d imagine, behind the building ;)

  • From now through to the end of August, the 1st Tatamagouche Girl Guides will be collecting bottles and cans to help their patrol attend the 2026 Discover Camp. You can mention ‘Girl Guide Camp’ when you drop them off, or call/text 902-956-9638 or 902-957-0062 to arrange pick-up.

  • Vista Bella Farm Orchard & Cidery is now open in Malagash, so stop in for a flight, glass or bottles to go as well as fresh veg from the farm stand.

  • Sisterhood Fibres raised well over $1000 for Tearmann House with their recent ‘Stashbuster Sale’

  • Volunteers needed - Tata Water Utility is looking for customers to participate in random testing for lead and copper - contact [email protected] for more information

Jobs & Opportunities … please tell them that you heard about the position in The North Shore Nuggets ;)

  • Nova Scotia Works has a School Liaison available on Wednesdays 8:30-4:30 throughout the summer to help with job searches, interview prep, skills workshops, career exploration, resumes and cover letters, post-secondary planning. Contact Joey at [email protected] 

  • Teen Summer Reading Clubs have/will be kicking off at our local libraries, be sure to drop in for more details, contests and prizes

  • Virtual Sandcastle Contest - build a sand creation, on the beach, in your sandbox, or even a creative backyard set-up. Take a photo and email it to [email protected] for a chance to win a $25 gift card from Harbourfront Cones. Draw takes place July 31st.

  • Home Hardware is looking for two social-media-savvy travellers for an epic cross-country road trip in 2026, one Home Hardware at a time. www.hhcontestrules.com/ultimateroadtrippers 

Live Music

Monday/Wednesday/Friday 5-7pm

Train Station Inn - Outdoor kitchen 4-7pm; Outdoor bar 2-7:30pm

July 25: Chris Maclean // July 28: Lorraine & The Brew Boys // July 30: 11th & Duke

Aug 1: Ol' Soles // Aug 4: Drew Polegato // Aug 6: Jim King

Aug 8: Lorraine & The Brew Boys // Aug 11: Julia Tynes

Wednesdays 7pm

River John & District Lions Club - Donald’s Music Circle

Fridays 5pm – 7pm

Chowder House on Main – Tatamagouche - Reservations 902-657-2223

July 26 Dave Deville & Kevin Aitchison // Aug 2 Jim King

Aug 9 Dave Deville & Kevin Aitchison // Aug 16 The Brave Boys

Fridays 6pm – 8pm

Tatamagouche Brewing Co

July 25 11th & Duke // Aug 1 Flip Side // Aug 8 Ol’ Soles

Fridays & every other Saturday 5pm

Big Al’s Family Restaurant & Lounge - Tatamagouche - Reservations 902-657-3341

Fridays - Route 6 // Saturdays - Terry Crombie

Sangria Saturdays 6-7:30pm

Derado’s Pizzeria and Donair - Tatamagouche - 902-657-9000

July 26th Christian Kirby // Aug 2 DJ Shivillree // Aug 9 DJ Obscurious

Mark your calendars!

July 18-26

River John Festival Days

So many events! Breakfast on the Verandah – July 21-26th 6:45-10am. rjfestivaldays.ca/

… and don’t forget to enter the Colouring Contest - Colouring Contest! - River John Festival Days

July 25-27

Pugwash Harbourfest

11am Stand Up Paddleboard

12:15pm Cardboard Boat Race

6:30pm Ryan Cook

8pm Big Fish

pugwashharbourfest.ca/

July 26

 

Annual Yard Sale

Wallace & Area Museum

Browse second-hand treasures, enjoy BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers, and soak in the community fun. Reserve a free table by calling the Museum.

July 26th

9am

The Salt Dash 5K

Your chance to lace up, bundle up, and celebrate summer by the sea at Pugwash Harbourfest! Race Kit Pick-Up: 7:30 – 8:45 AM on July 26th. The event starts at 9 AM sharp. https://www.route541.com/Events/Summary?EVENT_ID=75

July 26th

9:30am

The Nasty Nuttby Killer 5K

The Hardest, Hottest, Highest 5k in Nova Scotia!  Event participants will run, walk, and crawl to the top of Nuttby Mountain in Colchester County. 9:30 am start https://www.route541.com/Events/Summary?EVENT_ID=72

July 26

8-noon

Salem Church Hall Sale

 

July 27

Doors 11am

Toney River Chicken BBQ

Toney River Hall

$17/12

July 29

10-2pm

Summer Connect with Adolescent Outreach Services

Tata Regional Academy

Ages 12-18. Call/text 902-324-0952 to register, space is limited. Crafts, bullet journaling & games. Lunch & snacks provided.

July 30

2-4pm

Wallace 1784-1984 Video Broadcast

Wallace & Area Museum

Back by popular demand. Join us to dive into Wallace history.

July 31

7pm

Musique Royale “Best of Boxwood”

Sharon United Church

$25 at the door, $20 advance, youth free. Reserve: [email protected]

July 31

7pm

Ol Billy Bob Boy Band

Grace Arts Centre

Roots-Country music from Newfoundland, sure to make listeners hoot, holler, belly-laugh and maybe even shed a tear.

August 1-2

10-4pm

Northumberland Quilt Guild Show & Sale

DeCoste Centre

$5 Admission includes drink and sweets

August 1 - August 19

Anna Syperek and Linda Johns - The Presence of Trees

Lufel Pan - Resilience in Colour

Opening reception Friday August 1 @ 7 pm

August 2nd

Noon-4pm

Malagash Festival Day - Malagash Community Hall, 1926 North Shore Rd

Live Music, BBQ, 50/50, entertainment for Kids, museum tours. Share in the pride and spirit of magnificent Malagash.  Food bank donations welcomed. RAIN DATE is MONDAY AUGUST 4 Noon-4pm.  Hosted by Malagash Heritage Association.

August 2

1:30pm

Cream Day 2025

A Walk Through Time Museum, 4119 Scotsburn Rd

Demo operation of antique de Laval Cream Separator & hand churn. Tour the Museum and learn how cream was extracted

August 2 – September 7

Untangling the Trees

Ice House Gallery

Featuring the Artwork of Heather Gabriel Smith

 

August 9th

2-4pm

10th Anniversary Celebration Variety Concert – The Grace Arts Centre

One show only. Advance tickets $10 available online/box office or by donation on day of the show.

*sponsored content

A special thanks to all of our advertisers:

Ashton’s Garden Centre, Creamery Square Heritage Society, Heathcock Electric, Hicks LeMoine Law, Lismore Sheep Farm Wool Shop, Mountain Farm, Overstreet Cafe, Sara Bonnyman Pottery, Sisterhood Fibres, Sunrise Brokerage & Sales, S.W. Hayman Excavation Ltd, Tom Taggart, MLA, TriCounty Ford, ViewPoint Insurance.

Keep your events, news “nuggets” and photos coming to [email protected] or simply reply to this email. Also happy to chat about advertising options.
Thanks again for subscribing! Please share this email with your friends, family & neighbours for an extra ballot in our draw for a prize from a local business.

Talk soon, Angus