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Moncton's Summer Splash 2007 Season Presents Events and Attractions for Visitors to, and Citizens of, Coastal Southern New Brunswick.

By LocalintheKnow, Heather Ferguson

Published Excerpt: Moncton Summer Splash Season celebrates having fun in and around the Greater Moncton region and this year the City of Moncton roars with motorcycle and show car engines, rocks with Country Music greats, and simply bakes in the sun on nearby sandy beaches at Shediac and coastal coves of the Bay of Fundy.

It's summer in the Greater Moncton Area once again, and the official start to the season of fun was ushered in on Thursday, June 14th, with the city's announcement of the "Summer Splash 2007" initiative. Paul Thomson, Director of Communications for the City of Moncton, was the master of ceremonies at a special event held on the grounds of city hall featuring food, drink, T-shirt giveaways.

Moncton's Concert "Rocks The Hill" to Cap a Summer of  Interesting Things to Do and See Across Metro Moncton

Moncton in the summer of 2007 is all about Entertainment and the introduction of a package of exciting summer activities and attractions.

These summer attractions and events include:

Moncton's Country Rocks The Hill with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw slated for September 1st;

The Moncton Air Show for July 7th - 8th;

Moncton's Atlanticade Motorcycle Show from June 20th - 24th;

Fireworks on Canada Day,

The Moncton Magnetic Hill Flea Market from July 3rd - 8th;

Moncton's Atlantic Nationals Automotive Extravaganza from July 12th - 15th, for more information on Moncton's Atlantic Nationals;

The Victoria Park Crafts Fair from August 10th - 12th;

 NBA 3 on 3 on July 7th & 8th;

The Victoria Park Summer Concert Series held every Tuesday at 7 PM in July and August;

Marché Moncton Market and Artists at the Market weekly, Marche Dieppe Market and the weekly Sackville Farmers Market, plus the seasonal summer Bouctouche Artisans Farm Market;

The 7th Annual Atlantic Seafood Festival from August 16th - 19th; and,

exciting Zoo Camps at Magnetic Hill Zoo throughout the summer.

In honour of this package of events, the City of Moncton has even introduced its own official summer drink appropriately called - what else - "Splash!"

As well as these coming events, the Greater Moncton Area boasts many wonderful attractions perfect for a great summer vacation for area residents and for visitors to our region alike.

We are surrounded by plenty of natural beauty and nature lovers will enjoy both the Mapleton Park and Centennial Park within city limits. Both have lovely biking and hiking trails and Centennial Park features tennis courts, paddle boats, swimming, and playground facilities as well.

Magnetic Hill is a favourite for family fun with its water theme park, world class zoo, and boardwalk shops, and restaurants geared for a whole day of fun and excitement. For the more urban attractions of shopping, nightly entertainment and dining, downtown Moncton, Dieppe, and Riverview all have powerful retail centres, vibrant nightlife with clubs and cinemas, fantastic hotels, and, with the influx of various ethnic groups to our fair region, a smorgasbord of wonderful restaurants offering cuisine from such varied countries as France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico, India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Lebanon, and Japan to name but a few.

Want to score a direct "cool " from your kids, from small to teen tastes, then take in the nearby Magic Mountain Water Theme Park at the Magnetic Hill Zoo and entrance to the rolling up hill Magnetic Hill Road test.

In the Greater Moncton Area, the world truly does come together to add a cosmopolitan flavour to an area originally peopled by aboriginals, the English, and the Acadians. In the mood to sample the area's diversity? Visit both the Marché Moncton Market and the Dieppe Farmers Market on Saturdays and revel in the delights of wonderful sights and smells of food and crafts from vendors from almost every corner of the globe!

Are you a history buff?

The Greater Moncton Area is filled with historical jewels such as the first public building erected in the City of Moncton - the Free Meeting House located at 20 Mountain Road. The Trietz House on Bore Park is the oldest dwelling house in the City of Moncton and the Thomas Williams House on Park Street is a museum still filled with many of its original furnishings. This summer, stop by for strawberry tea served on the veranda and soak in the atmosphere of an era gone by.

For an Acadian experience, visit the Acadian Museum located at the Clement Cormier Building at the Université de Moncton campus. See the original Acadian flag and a book written by Samuel de Champlain!

Moncton Is Visitor's Travel Hub for Coastal, Southern New Bunswick Towns and Village Attractions   

The Greater Moncton Area truly is a hub of summer activity and a great place to mount your base of operations from which you can visit many of the surrounding towns and communities that radiate out from this dynamic tri-community area. The small Town of Hillsborough on the shores of the Petitcodiac River across from Moncton is a great place to enjoy that small town hospitality.

Historic Hillsborough on Route 112 to the Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park, is filled with stately homes of graceful architecture, many buildings, some built over 100 years ago, contain exotic woods brought as ballast from the West Indies on ships that once plied the waters along the shore to load up with gypsum from a mine now reclaimed as an important wetland by Ducks Unlimited. Travel on the Salem and Hillsborough Steam Train in an original car and browse through the many wonderful craft and gift shops as you proceed to the next attraction - Hopewell Rocks!

A natural geological wonder, these giant "flowerpots" rise up over a seabed exposed at low tide to pedestrians and filled up to the tree line at high tide to accommodate canoes. Here, a world class interactive centre, restaurant, gift shop, walking trails and canoe facilities enhance the experience of the tidal range on the Bay of Fundy. Further down the road, Cape Enrage offers picturesque views, a photogenic lighthouse, and cliffs for hours of rappelling fun for the adventuresome. Riverside/Albert boasts a schoolhouse housed in a magnificent heritage building and the Museum Bank complete with brass fittings from the turn of the last century. Plan to visit Mary's Point Bird Sanctuary and stop in at the various art studios featured in the famous Fundy Studio Tour which takes place every summer.

The quaint and picturesque Town of Alma is the gateway to the great Fundy National Park. Spend a day or a week camping, fishing, boating, hiking, whale watching, or sightseeing in one of the most beautiful natural reserves of Southeastern New Brunswick! Enjoy an authentic lobster meal, walk along the beach and watch the brightly coloured fishing boats come into the marina. This truly is a beautiful place!

For a more inland experience travel through the City of Dieppe to Route 106 and take the scenic route to Memramcook.

An up and coming French community bordering the City of Dieppe, it is home to one of the most beautiful Roman Catholic churches at 452 Amirault Street. Stop in at St. Joseph to visit the Monument-Lefebvre at St. Joseph College where there is an interactive site and a new exhibit on The Odyssey of the Acadian People.

The Village of Dorchester is the next stop along this route where the Keillor House built in 1813 is a museum worth seeing. It has nine working fireplaces and original period furniture. This house takes its place among many fine homes in the area displaying a range of architecture that speaks to the past glory of structures that were "built to last."

This winding and utterly charming route wends its way to the University Town of Sackville which sits on the edge of the great Tantramar Marsh. A lovely small town filled with rural Canadiana, this town nevertheless attracts the international spotlight in the form of the many foreign students who call this place "home," even if it's only on a temporary basis.

Home to Mount Allison University, Sackville also touts a unique time capsule in the form of Campbell's Carriage Factory Museum with all of its infrastructure and tools intact. Visit the living museums/businesses still in operation - Sackville Harness Shop and Mel's Tearoom, both founded in 1911, and visit The Marshlands Inn, a stately home turned world class accommodation.

Sackville's Waterfowl Park and Visitors' Centre is entertaining and instructive on many of the area's historical and natural data, and, renowned for its resident artists, Sackville's "Studio on the Marsh" Tour showcases many of the area's best work. Make note of Sackville's historical churches, many of them all wood structures over 100 years old. Soak in the ambience of the Bridge Street Café where the Farmers Market meets on Saturdays, and stop in at Tidewater Books for that literary jewel. In Sackville, one can really unwind and enjoy the summer.

Take in Sackville's Festival by the Marsh from July 9th to 29th, visit the Live Bait Theatre, and Owen's Art Gallery at the university - and don't forget to take photos 'round the Swan Pond!

A 15-minute drive down Highway 15 from Moncton is the seaside Town of Shediac, NB. The perfect resort town, Shediac is renowned for its pristine waters, cosy bays, great seafood, and Parlee Beach which is a summer haven away from the hectic city scene. Laze on the beach, walk along the shore, rent a cottage, or go boating. Make a point of visiting during Shediac's famous Lobster Festival taking place from July 4th - 8th this year.

This seaside community moves to its own rhythm. Relax and enjoy! Continue up to Highway 11 which will take you to the equally lovely Town of Buctouche. A warm and friendly town with a distinct Acadian flavour, this community hugs Buctouche Bay and exudes a carnival atmosphere on Saturday mornings with their Farmers Market in the heart of the downtown area. Stop by for a visit and sample delicious treats from the vendors.

Along Routes 515 & 475, stop in to quaint antique shops, fine dining establishments, and cozy bed and breakfasts as you take in the scenery all along the bay. Be sure to visit the historical Le Pays de la Sagouine where special 15th Anniversary celebrations will take place July 22nd. Don't miss Sandy Beach with its miles of boardwalk on the dunes overlooking the warmest waters north of the tropics. In fact, Buctouche Bay is the "tropics" of the north!  While in the area, take a detour to Kouchibouguac Park and visit the Acadian Village near Caraquet. There're lots to do and see!

Just an exit north on Highway 11 at St Anne de Kent is the Olivier Soapery Ecomuseum, which offers daily Theatre presentations called the Cleanest Show on Earth by Olivier. A popular attraction that attracts visitors by car and bus tours. Show are daily.

To the west of the Greater Moncton Area are the communities of Salisbury, with a history in Silver Fox rearing, Petitcodiac and the surrounding rolling hills that are home to Cornhill Nursery and its wonderful gardens, and Sussex, well known for the annual Atlantic International Air Balloon Festival. This year, the special event is slated for the late summer from September 7th - 9th. Fancy yourself in a hot air balloon flight? Be adventuresome and give it a try!

These are just a few highlights among the many events, attractions, and destinations to enhance your summer vacation experience in the Greater Moncton Area and its surrounding communities. Contact local tourist sites and related web sites for more information on upcoming events and make this summer a truly memorable one as you discover the unexpected in our very own backyards!

Click on the complete Visitor's Guide to Moncton with links to all businesses and community organizations. Want to know what is happening in Moncton today or next week, click on Moncton Events Calendar for a complete and current guide of entertainment activities across Metro Moncton's various communities with links to what movies are playing in Moncton, as well as a guide to Downtown Moncton's bars and clubs.