Photos: Memorial Cup festivities underway

SAINT JOHN - Festivities surrounding the 2022 Memorial Cup got underway Saturday morning in uptown Saint John.

The day started with the grand opening of the city's new ball hockey pad, located next to the skatepark between TD Station and Harbour Passage. Saint John mayor Donna Noade Reardon; Mark-Anthony Ashfield, chair of the 2022 Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee; Trevor Georgie, president and general manager of the Saint John Sea Dogs; and QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau were all on hand and spoke at the ceremony.

The Memorial Cup trophy was also on display.

Former Sea Dogs Mike Thomas and Zack Phillips - who won the Memorial Cup in 2011 - took part in the ceremonial puck drop.

The ceremonial ball drop marks the official opening of this new ball hockey pad. pic.twitter.com/rzoiJWBSuc

— Brad Perry (he/him) (@BradMPerry) June 18, 2022

Following the ceremony, the weeklong ball hockey tournament got underway. It's a beautiful facility and will hopefully get as much use as the skatepark does.

About an hour later, the One for All District held its grand opening ceremony. Festivities continue in the uptown core throughout the day and throughout the entirety of the tournament.

Now up the street for the grand opening of the One for All District. pic.twitter.com/md6cI3GZCj

— Jamie Tozer (@station_nation) June 18, 2022

TD Station and the uptown are fully decked out in Memorial Cup signage. Here's a peek at what the city is looking like right now.

The pedway that connects TD Station to the Inside Connection has a "Welcome to Saint John" sign on both sides (one in English and one in French).

There is no debating this.

A look at the new mural that has been painted across the street from TD Station.

"Go Dogs Go" signage above the convention centre entrance.

The large Memorial Cup banner hanging inside Market Square.

Market Square will be the home of Fan Fest, which begins Monday.

The official Memorial Cup merchandise store will be located in Market Square near the skywalk entrance.

Speaking of the skywalk, it's also been decked out.

These street banners are up all over the uptown. Many feature current Sea Dogs players while others have former Memorial Cup champions.

This quote has been placed on the window of a restaurant uptown.

Well, are you?

The stage setup in the One for All District.

The One for All District as fog began to roll in (classic).