Driving into the history books
Doug Parr and his wife, Trinda, remember being the first people to cross the Confederation Bridge 20 years ago
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Theirs was the first vehicle to cross the Confederation Bridge on May 31, 1997, leading the pack of what seemed to be an endless lineup of traffic.
“I didn’t plan on being first, and it just worked out that way,” said Doug, who is from Fredericton, N.B. “It gives you quite a little thrill because with that many vehicles, it was just luck by chance.”
Doug can’t help but remember the feeling they had as they drove across the newly completed bridge.
“My wife was sitting beside me, as she is most days, and she was as excited as I was. We pumped the dash a few times and said ‘We did. We got first. We got first’,” says Doug.
“It’s sort of been an uphill ride from there because I’ve had this car down to Florida, New Hampshire, a lot of free publicity for the (Confederation Bridge) and for P.E.I.”
Every year since then, Doug and Trinda take a picture on or around the anniversary of the Confederation Bridge. Confederation special place of Doug and Bridge in the Trinda
“I’m so pleased to be somebody that can promote P.E.I.,” said Doug. “It’s something we enjoy doing.”
The 1994 Dodge Spirit will be making yet another appearance in the community this weekend as Doug and Trinda are attending Bridgefest 150.
The car is hard to miss as it boasts a Confederation Bridge painting on the hood, a window sticker that reads “1st car across the Confederation Bridge May 31, 1997-17:00:01h”, a “Bridge1” licence plate and a copy of the first ticket on the windshield.
“I only drive this car to the odd car show or whenever I’m on P.E.I.,” said Doug.
Doug and Trinda are looking forward to taking part in Bridgefest 150 this weekend, especially the Burton Cummings and band performance at the Credit Union Place in Summerside tonight.
“If you are a fan or even if you are not, it’s amazing,” said Doug. “You can always depend on an excellent show and you can’t tell that his age is getting up there with mine.”