The Bridge

Celebratory Pageant and Lantern Parade – Ward's Island, Toronto

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the saving of the Toronto Island community from the bulldozers.

The Bridge begins at the Ward’s Island Clubhouse with a special viewing of Matthew Ferguson’s short film The Day at the Bridge.

The evening continues with 18th annual FIRE PARADE and theatrical reinactment of the Islanders' victory at the Bridge and ends with a spectacular fire on Ward's Beach.

July 28 1980. Word went out. "The Sheriff is coming!" The siren sounded and the Island Home Guard leapt into action. Hundreds of people came through the rain, from their houses, from work, on boats, bikes and on foot and linked arms at the Algonquin Bridge creating a protective human barrier to their threatened homes. The Sheriff arrived armed with eviction notices. Community representatives negotiated a twenty-four hour delay and the Sheriff was sent away. A great victory and a historic turning point in the saving of the Island community from the bulldozers.