Walking Along Fredericton’s Queen Street - New Brunswick may be a city in New Jersey, but it’s also an English-French speaking Canadian Province whose Capital City is Fredericton, a walkable downtown area.

I checked into the Crowne Plaza Fredericton Lord Beaverbrook, and yes, there is an explanation for the long name. The hotel was chosen due to it not only being a landmark hotel situated on the banks of the Saint John River, it was also located on the “main drag” of Queen Street in the historic Garrison District. Having floor areas of Quiet Zones, a sleep CD, and a bag containing earplugs, eye mask and lavender spray for the pillow did play a part on the decision. Although it appears that a visitor can get a free three-day parking pass, it’s easy enough to do a walking tour as I give you the highlights of my trip.

On Being A Fredericton VIP - It was a hot and sunny morning in Fredericton, New Brunswick as I entered Officer’s Square an historic military area on Queen Street’s Garrison District. Guard Commander Joe Bennett approached and informed me that I was being selected to do the inspections during the Changing of The Guard.

There in the square stood a bronze statue of Lord Beaverbrook as I was being briefed on the format. The young guards marched around the square as I heard the drums and bugle. As they approached I was escorted to the dais, at which time the guards formed up facing the Fredericton and Canadian flags. It was all a surprise to me especially since I was certainly not dressed for the occasion.

Joe asked if I would like to inspect. Did he think I’d turn it down? He escorted me to the guard formation as the inspection went from the left with the soldier with the axe and apron. I refrained from inquiring as to whether his job had anything to do with Thanksgiving.

I was informed that I would inspect the soldiers boots to make sure there is a good shine, pants well pressed, buttons clean and shiny, apron (if worn) clean, and helmet and cap badge properly worn and maintained. What’s with the spike on the top of the helmet? It’s a replacement spear for soldier’s lances and the rifle is the standard 1883 Enfield rifle, weighing approximately 181lbs fully loaded. Nice.

I continued the inspection proceeding across the front rank of the guard and was told that I may ask questions to the soldiers about themselves and the guard. Although I was tempted to ask if they heard of the New York Sharks women’s tackle football team, I held back, noticing that there were both male and female soldiers.

Pictures With Guards Are Popular - I was then told to pause and face a Fredericton Tourism worker to have my picture taken while touching one of the soldier’s shiny buttons. Once reaching the end of the first rank I turned and inspected the rear of the front rank. Attention was given to the bayonet and scabbard ensuring that the kit was there and maintained. Once the rear of the front rank was finished, I began the process again with the second rank, starting with the soldier with the apron and axe. Was it just my imagination or was he glaring at my neck? It must have been the heat.

Upon finishing the rear rank I stopped at the 2IC of the guard and then proceeded to the band. The piper was wearing the Gordon tartan, which was adopted for the Fredericton Society of St. Andrew’s Pipe Band. The drummer was also dressed in this tartan and both were dressed in period 1883 uniforms.  

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