Memorial Cup events announced

SAINT JOHN - Several 2022 Memorial Cup events were announced Wednesday.

The Canadian Hockey League and the Host Organizing Committee released a long list of events that will surround the tournament's game schedule. The list includes a number of concerts taking place at the soon-to-be-constructed Area 506 Waterfront Container Village.

Highlights from the CHL's news release are below:

• Saturday, June 18: "five events counting two community-based projects including a legacy mural near the host venue as well as a new, state-of-the-art ball hockey platform. A ball hockey tournament presented by J.D. Irving Ltd. spans the week as the first of six themed street parties dubbed the One for All District."
• Also on Saturday, June 18: "an open-air concert at the new AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village dubbed the Port City Party – a concert featuring the Juno Award-winning band The Strumbellas. Memorial Cup pass holders will benefit from priority admission as space is limited. The night finishes off with a fireworks display presented by CIBC and Day & Ross."
• Sunday, June 19 features "the the Arrival of the Cup through a unique Uptown Rally event including a parade that will take the Memorial Cup from Long Wharf to the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village."
• Monday, June 20 kicks off Fan Fest, Bash on the Bay and the games themselves.
• "Fan Fest takes place from Monday, June 20 to Wednesday, June 29 in Market Square including an exhibit from the Hockey Hall of Fame as well as the weeklong Speaker Series presented by Deloitte with speakers reflecting the One for All concept."
• "Bash on the Bay takes place at the AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village and will feature performances from talent from across Canada including Big Wreck, Alan Doyle, Classified, Matt Mays, and more. Performances are scheduled for either before or after game time, with games broadcasted on the big screen for sold out games. Memorial Cup pass holders will be offered priority admission as space is limited. General admission will be offered based on capacity." More details in the image above.
• Also taking place during the tournament: "on-ice skills sessions have been organized and will be run by elite male and female leaders including past and present personalities from the CHL and NHL."
• The final note in the CHL's release: "Olympic medalist Curt Harnett will host a bike rodeo and community bike ride on Saturday, June 25. The public is encouraged to attend to learn new skills, decorate, and tune their bikes for this family-friendly event."

That's a lot to take in.

This event list certainly stacks up to - and even exceeds - what Halifax pulled off in 2019, which was highlighted by a nightly concert series on Argyle Street.

The full event schedule is below and can also be found on the Memorial Cup website.

Ticket packages to the Memorial Cup are still available.