Counting down to BridgeFest 150

The Island isbuzzing in anticipation ofBridgeFest150,set for this weekend.

There will be fireworks. There will be music. There will be boat rides.

Festivities beginFriday night, and will continue Saturday evening and throughout the day on Sunday.

"We have something for everyone," said Michel LeChasseur, general manager of Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, the company responsible for operating and maintaining the bridge.

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"We've been working at it for a long time," he said. "I think we've put together a good show that would interest the whole family."

Strait Crossing Bridge Limited is partnering with the IWK Foundation and Canada 150 to host the event.

Music, bridge tours, fireworks

Borden-Carleton will host a series of activities includingthe IWK Run for Families, main stage performances, bridge and boat tours, and helicopter rides.

Kicking things off on Friday night will be a concert at the Marine Rail Park followed by a major fireworks display. Le Chasseur said the display will be "rivalling the biggest one we've ever seen on P.E.I."

Most festivities will take place in Borden-Carletonwith the exception of the event's official concert on Saturday night at Credit Union Place in Summerside.

BurtonCummings will headline the concert. JimmyRankin,frontmanfor theRankinfamily, andMakaylaLynn will also perform.

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"It'll be a great evening and certainly a great way to sort of culminate theBridgeFestevents and certainly a great way to feature a great Canadian artist like Burton Cummings during Canada's 150. We're certainly pleased to be a part of theBridgeFestevent," said JPDesrosiers, the director of community services for the City ofSummerside.

Bridge a 'game changer'

BridgeFest150 celebrates both the Confederation Bridge's 20th anniversary and Canada's 150th.

"It's a good match," said Le Chasseur, who said the building of the bridge"was a game changer for Prince Edward Island."

"People like the freedom of the bridge, the reliability. It is a robust structure, and it works. And again, delivers on the promise that was made."

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There's also a third anniversary to mark: Credit Union Place is celebrating its10th.

"For us to have an opportunity to play host with the Confederation Bridge in both of our birthday years is certainly an interesting thing and something that we're proudto be a part of," Desrosierssaid.

The Confederation Bridge will be temporarily closed to all traffic on Sunday, June 18 between 6 a.m. and 1 p.m. for theBridgeFest150 IWK Run for Families.

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The bridge first opened to traffic on May 31, 1997.

Entertainment all weekend long

Here is BridgeFest150's schedule of events:

• Friday, June 16, 2017:

  • 8:00 p.m.: Entertainment byChaissonFamily atMarine Rail Park, Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.
  • 10:00 p.m.: Fireworks atMarine Rail Park, Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.

• Saturday, June 17, 2017:

  • 8:00 p.m.: BurtonCummingsand his band with special guestsJimmyRankinandMakaylaLynnatCredit Union Place,Summerside, P.E.I.

• Sunday, June 18, 2017 (all events in Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.)

  • 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.:IWK Run for Families.
  • 7:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.:IWK Bridge Walk.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:BridgeFestMain Area.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:Main Stage Performances.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:President's Choice / Atlantic Superstore Area.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:Kids Zone.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.:Bricks 4KidzFreeplayarea.
  • 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.:Bricks 4KidzConfederation Bridge Building Contest.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:Hockey Hall of Fame.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:Bridge and Boat Tours.
  • 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.:Helicopter Tours.
  • 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:Concoursd'EleganceCar Show.
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