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40th RJ Festival Days, Harbourfest & More
July 25, 2025
Angus Bonnyman
July 25, 2025
Today (Friday) is the last day to enter the 1st annual Colouring Contest! - River John Festival Days, sponsored by TNSN
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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 :)
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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
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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 |
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 |
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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
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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. |
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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.