N.B. businesses prepare as Victoria Day weekend marks unofficial start to summer

Businesses in the Shediac area are opening their doors for the season this Victoria Day long weekend.

For many businesses in the Shediac area, the Victoria Day long weekend marks the unofficial start of summer.

Campgrounds are reopening, tourists are beginning to arrive, and seasonal restaurants, ice cream shops, and other attractions are preparing for another busy season in Southeastern New Brunswick.

Just across the road from the giant Lobster in Shediac is Wishing Star Campground. Manager Don Breau says he’s already noticing a change in travel habits this year, with more people looking closer to home for vacation options as fuel prices remain high.

“So in the last week here, I’ve been hearing more people are calling in for seasonal lots,” said Breau. “They say they don’t want to travel because of the price of fuel and stuff.”

Breau says visitors from across North America continue to play an important role in the local tourism economy.

“I’m getting a lot from Ontario, Quebec. We got a couple here from Florida already,” he said.

Down the road in Point-du-Chêne, businesses along the wharf are also preparing for another busy season despite some offseason challenges.

Flooding this past December caused some headaches, but Point-du-Chêne Wharf president Maria Mutch says preparations for summer have continued, with strong interest from boaters and seasonal visitors.

“We have an opening yet and we’ve sold well over almost 200 memberships,” said Mutch. “And then we are totally sold out for boat docks.”

Mutch says the wharf is also expected to remain open later into the fall this year.

“We’re going to stay open longer,” she said. “That date hasn’t been set yet by the board, but it will definitely be longer than the long weekend in September.”

Another summer tradition reopening this weekend is the Neptune Drive-In Theatre — one of a handful remaining drive-in movie theatres in the Maritimes.

Owner Sébastien Després says there’s something unique about the atmosphere that keeps people coming back year after year. “Our business is really dependant on the weather, we’re so very happy that our opening weekend is looking great.” said Després.

“My favourite part of the drive-in is when I go to the canteen to get snacks for my kids and I’m walking back through the field and everything is dark and it’s really quiet because all the cars have their radios on in the car,” he added. “That moment is really special.”

Businesses throughout the region are now hoping warm weather and a busy long weekend help kick off another strong tourism season in southeastern New Brunswick.

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