Draft:Area 506 Fesitval

In March of 2016, festival organizers announced that a new festival would be held along the Saint John Waterfront during the New Brunswick Day long weekend. The festival, titled Area 506, would be a celebration of New Brunswick community, culture, music, and goods^[4][5].

With support from Discover Saint John, the first three day festival, spanning July 29-31st 2016^[6], took place primarily on Long Wharf in a fortress constructed of shipping containers.^[7] The festival employs 100s of volunteers each year from different organizations such as United Way^[8], Monster and local businesses.

Long Wharf severed as the festival grounds for the first three years from 2016 to 2018.

In 2019 while the former Coast Guard headquarters location on Water Street was being demolished, it was announced that this years festival would move to the empty lot^[9].

The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

2021 saw the festival return to the Long Wharf location in a different capacity. In late May, organizers of the festival announced plans for the 2021 Waterfront Concert Series to act as a new look festival during the pandemic.^[10] The ten-part series took place over five weekends starting on July 16th as opposed to previous festivals held during the New Brunswick Day long weekend^[11]. Due to restrictions the vendor village was cancelled and the festival moved to a cashless vending system for food and drink transactions^[12]. While the social distancing guidelines were still in practice, the festival sold tickets for each show w in six or ten-person pods only, with a maximum of about 650 spectators each night.

2022 saw the festival move to it's current permanent location outside of the 506 Container Village.^[13][14]

2026 is shaping up to be a great year for the festival. Festival organizers confirmed that they set a record for the amount of applicants.

The 2023 festival lineup was announced on February 17th with headliners Billy Talent, Metric, and The Sheepdogs.^[15] The three headliners were making their Area 506 festival debuts. It was announced that the government of Canada had committed funding up to $150,000 towards the festival.^[16][17]

Billy Talent who last played in Saint John in 2007, making the gap in their return spanning fifteen years.^[18] Metric were playing Saint John for the first time in their career. The Sheepdogs making a return after five years, last playing at the Kent Theatre.^[19][20]

Other acts making a return to the 506 stage were Dear Rouge and Ria Mae.

The 9th anniversary of the festival took place from August 2nd to the 4th. The announced headliners when the lineup was announced in late February was: Alvvays, Our Lady Peace and Sum 41.^[22][23][24]

Sum 41 who were set to return to Saint John for the first time in fourteen years^[25], last playing at TD Station (formerly Harbour Station) in 2005^[26]. On the 30th of July, it was announced that lead singer Deryck Whibley who suffered a "minor back injury" and was placed on physician-ordered rest would be cancelling their summer festival appearances.^[27][28] In addition to the Area 506 Festival, the band would be cancelling headlining spots at Rimouski Les Grandes Fêtes TELUS; and Victoriaville for Rock La Cauze; as well as dates in Saguenay and Quebec City.^[29]

Festival organizers were able to find a last minute replacement, pulling in The Beaches to headline the Sunday slot.^[30] The Beaches who were now returning to the festival for a second year in a row,^[31] with this appearance being their first time as headliners. While walking onto the stage, The Beaches were accompanied by Sum 41's song, "Pieces".^[32]

Our Lady Peace returned to Saint John after a nineteen year absence. Last playing at TD Station (formerly Harbour Station) in January, 2000^[33][34].

Alvvays made their second trip to Saint John after their first appearance at the Canada Day Countdown at Market Square in 2018^[35][36].

The 2024 edition of the festival saw the "Multicultural Fest" even happen alongside 506.^[37] The Saint John Newcomers Centre event included live performances, exhibits, vendors, and international street food. The vendors and exhibits were located outside the container village on Water street. While performances took place on a stage next to the Marco Polo cruise ship terminal.

The festival also lined up with the 50th anniversary of the Bricklin cars being manufactured in Saint John. About 40 Bricklins lined Water Street in Saint John during the festival.^[38][39]

The 10th anniversary^[41][42] of the festival took place from August 1st to the 3rd. Broken Social Scene and Alexisonfire headlined the festival for the first time, while the Arkells returned to the headliner spot for a third time. Previously headlining in 2017^[43] and 2022^[44].

The multicultural festival took place outside of the container village and along Water street again for the 2nd year in a row.^[45]

1. https://www.area506.ca/festival
2. https://www.area506.ca/festival/past-festivals