City Council Approves Fredericton 175+ Community Celebration Grants

Type(s)
City Hall

Eight community organizations will receive $50,000 in Fredericton 175+ Community Celebration Grants to organize events for the public in recognition Fredericton’s 175th anniversary as an incorporated city, as well as the history that came before and the bright future that lies ahead.

The grants will be used to support musical and theatre performances, a story walk, an Indigenous art display, a school reunion, a community block party, and an old-time country day. The approved events are in addition to other celebrations being planned by the City of Fredericton in August of this year.

City Council approved the grants at their regular Council meeting on April 11, 2023. The list and brief outline of each celebration follows.

$10,000 Grants

  • Capital Arts Support – Tannery 175+ Concerts. To commemorate the City of Fredericton’s momentous 175+ anniversary, Capital Arts Support will present “Tannery 175+”: two free concerts in the Tannery during the 10 days of celebrations.
  • Fredericton Outdoor Summer Theatre – Dosquicentennial. With this year being the City's 175th anniversary, we will focus on this dosquicentennial and “capitalize” on that with a special show! We look forward to celebrating the city’s history and culture during the 10-day festival mid-summer but will also be celebrating for the 10 weeks of summer.

$5,000 Grants

  • Adult Literacy Fredericton Story Walk. We will establish a Story Walk along one of Fredericton’s many trails. The Story Walk is a fantastic community literacy initiative that promotes healthy activity, social connection and a love of reading.
  • Atlantic Sinfonia – A (Musical) Celebration of Us. This summer season, Atlantic Sinfonia will hold “Fredericton – A (Musical) Celebration of Us,” a free concert to take place at Christ Church Cathedral as an extra offering during the context of the 30th annual New Brunswick Summer Music Festival.
  • Beaverbrook Art Gallery – As part of the Jordan Bennet Mural Programming, the Gallery will establish the Jordan Bennett mural portal – A gateway to reconciliation. This project advances the goals of the Beaverbrook’s programmatic three-year initiative, “Shared Spaces,” which entirely comprises Indigenous programming and exhibitions.
  • Charlotte St. School Reunion. To celebrate Fredericton’s 175 years of incorporation, we will host a Charlotte Street School Reunion! By inviting all former alumni to the school to celebrate one of the oldest and the only refined Italianate brick buildings in this city, we feel this would be the perfect way to commemorate Fredericton’s history.
  • Fredericton Exhibition Ltd – Community Block Party. Start the Fredericton 175 celebration week with a Giant Community Block Party and Hoedown on August 11 and 12 at the newly renovated and decorated Livestock Barn.
  • York Care Centre – York Care Centre will hold an “Old Time Country Day” on June 3, 2023. The event is held on the grounds of York Care Centre and focuses on “old-time” activities such as hay wagon rides, old-time music, summer picnic & BBQ. 

“People have been gathering on this scenic bend in the river for thousands of years not only to live and work, but to celebrate,” said Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers. “What better way to recognize our history and culture than with a variety of activities throughout the community. There really is something for everyone and I look forward to attending as many of the events as I can!”

The Fredericton 175+ Community Grants were announced back in January 2023.  The deadline to apply was February 10, 2023. While Fredericton 175+ will formally be celebrated from August 9-20, 2023, and events for that time frame were preferred, this was not a requirement, and all applications were reviewed and considered by the selection jury. All activities must occur before December 31, 2023.

The grants were intended to support projects and activities organized by community organizations interested in celebrating the community’s rich history and culture. Events must take place within the city and be accessible to the public. They must also be inclusive and demonstrate engagement of community members from diverse backgrounds.

The grant announcement follows the City’s observation of its 175th anniversary as an incorporated city on March 30, 2023, where dignitaries, members of City Council, City staff, community representatives, and the public gathered at Fredericton City Hall to unveil the Fredericton 175+ flag and enjoy anniversary cake, cupcakes and hot chocolate. The following Fredericton 175+ resources will also be of interest to the public: