Two communities along the Canada-U.S. border will continue a long-standing celebration of friendship this week, amid the ongoing trade war between both countries. The 53rd International Homecoming Festival returns to St. Stephen, N.B., and Calais, Maine, on Wednesday and will run until Sunday.The festival’s theme for 2026 is “Through the Years.” An opening ceremony handshake between the mayors of St. Stephen and Calais will officially start the festival on Wednesday evening. Members from both communities will meet on the Ferry Point International Bridge where they’ve traditionally exchanged greetings and the flags from each other’s countries. The Great Homecoming Duck Race returns to the festival this year, scheduled just prior to the handshake ceremony. Numbered rubber ducks will float down the St. Croix River, with the duck crossing the finish line winning a grand prize of $1,000. Volunteers will be on hand during and after the event to retrieve all the rubber ducks from the river. “We hope that event will get people downtown for the bridge’s opening ceremony,” says Chandra Best, co-chair of the festival. “We want people to come down, enjoy the water with us, and then be here to open up this wonderful event.” On Saturday morning, the festival’s international parade will start in St. Stephen on Budd Avenue, cross the Ferry Point International Bridge, and finish in Calais on North Street. “We have over 30 entries this year,” says Best. “Get down for that parade, it’s going to be a good one.” A fireworks show over the St. Croix River will be visible from either side of the border on Saturday evening. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
