‘We hug it out’: Festival of friendship between N.B. and Maine going forward amid trade war

An annual cross border event between New Brunswick and Maine is going forward amid tariff tensions.

Two communities along the Canada-U.S. border plan to “hug it out” this summer amid the international trade war.

The 52nd International Homecoming Festival is scheduled for Aug. 6 – 10 in St. Stephen, N.B., and Calais, Maine, with a theme leaning into the turbulent times.

“We chose ‘We Hug It Out,’” says festival co-chair Andrea Walton, who also serves as an administrator at Calais City Hall.

“With all the political things going on in the world, there’s been some friction between the towns and we want St. Stephen to know that we’re not part of that. We’re still Calais and St. Stephen.”

St. Stephen Deputy Mayor Ghislaine Wheaton, who also sits on the festival’s organizing committee, says such a gathering is needed now “more than ever before” in the area.

“At the beginning, even ourselves, we were wondering what was going to happen,” says Wheaton, regarding a 2025 festival. “Things are moving so fast politically. Then we met as a committee, we talked about it, and we decided we’re going to go on.”

Festival hallmarks, including an opening ceremony handshake between the mayors of St. Stephen and Calais on the Ferry Point International Bridge, will be included in this year’s schedule.

Details about a parade – which in the past has maneuvered through the streets of both downtowns – are still being determined.

There’s been a noted drop in local traffic going back and forth as the ongoing trade war tests the relationship between both communities. Still, several residents from St. Stephen and Calais cross the St. Croix River every day for work, family, or both.

“It’s not just a border,” says Walton. “It’s family. And we need to keep family together.”

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