Link to future
The women who carried P.E.I. flag across Confederation Bridge on the first day of Bridgefest ’97 say only with time does the immense significance of the day sink in
Kim Gallant knew everything was about to change that day, 20 years ago, when the Confederation Bridge opened. She was one of thousands who walked across the link that day.
Kim Gallant remembers tears flowing down her cheeks knowing that everything was about to change.
That was 20 years ago. Wednesday, the Confederation Bridge celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Gallant, who lived in the Miminegash and Alberton area at the time, was one of thousands of people who took advantage of a chance to walk across the newly minted, 12.9 kilometre bridge.
“I didn’t think I was going to be able to do it. It was such a day. It was the last trip on the ferry to be had and that was quite emotional for me,’’ Gallant said.
“I remember that. I shed a tear thinking ‘Wow, this is the end of something, and I really wasn’t sure what I thought of this bridge. I kind of thought ‘You’re ruining my childhood here’ because (the ferries) were a big thing.’’
Gallant was part of a walking group that included Darlene Gallant and Darla Gallant (Darlene and Darla are second cousins). Darlene Gallant of Montague, and originally from O’Leary, recalls how much fun walking across the bridge was. “I remember we went over on the ferry to the New Brunswick side and hung around there until it was time to walk across the bridge. It was a cool picture the paper took that day. Makes us look like we were the first ones and everybody is behind us, but we were stuck in the middle of everybody.’’
Darlene Gallant is referring to the front-page picture The Guardian ran of the Gallant women carrying a P.E.I. flag across the bridge.
“It was a lot of fun, everybody was having a good time and enjoying themselves. You think back and realize it was your last time going on the ferry. Really, (the ferry) was there for so long and it was the only option.’’
Darlene Gallant said she still gets her ferry fix on Northumberland Ferries Ltd.’s Wood Islands crossing.
“I go on the ferry down here all the time, (but) you really didn’t think it was your last time on the (Borden) ferries.’’ Darla Gallant of Summerside recalls the atmosphere all around her.
“I remember we created a lot of energy on the bridge,’’ Darla Gallant said. “We were kind of singing and acting a little foolish, a little crazy. I’d say we focused more on the journey rather than the destination because, obviously, it was a long walk.’’
Kim Gallant recalls the energy, too.
“It felt like I had been walking for 10 years. Then you start seeing people, and that’s when we started perking up. Someone would yell ‘Where you headed?’ and we would yell ‘P.E.I.’ It was pretty fun.’’
The historic moment didn’t really sink in for Darla on the day.
“I wasn’t really thinking about that at the time. I was just kind of having fun with it; looking forward to the (Great Big Sea) concert when we got back.’’ Darlene Gallant says most people seemed to be in a party mood.
“We were just going for the walk and concert and party at the time. It was an enormous part of our history on P.E.I. At the time, I don’t think we realized how much it meant,’’ Darlene Gallant said.
Kim Gallant was all too aware that history was being made. “For me, the most historic part was the last ride on the Abegweit. That’s what really hit. Wow, an era just ended, and a new one has begun the second you put your feet on that bridge. It was pretty epic that way for me, personally,’’ Kim Gallant said.
Kim also recalls packing that famous P.E.I. flag that appeared in the photograph.