'A cool thing for Canada': BridgeFest 150 gets rave reviews

BridgeFest 150 wrapped up Sunday and it was a smashing success.

The festival celebrated both the Confederation Bridge's 20th anniversary and Canada's 150th.

It began on Friday evening with entertainment and fireworks, but most of the events were held on Sunday, including the IWK Run for Families and IWK Bridge Walk, which drew more than 5,000 people and raised more than $195,000 for the IWK Foundation.

The walk and run had participants from every province, 15 states and people from as far away as Australia.

Toronto's Janet Durbin ran the 13 kilometres across the bridge.

"You're out there in the blue and the water," she said. "There's lots of other people doing it, a good spirit, a nice feeling."

"It was really fun to come, it makes Canada turning 150 a little more real and you get to see a part of the country we don't usually see and participate in this event."

George Daniel from Quispamsis, N.B., said the run was something he had to do.

"The unique opportunity to run across the Confederation Bridge I thought was pretty cool and couldn't be passed up," he said.

He also said that the bridge itself brought him a "sense of pride."

"This is a cool thing for Canada."

There was also an area for kids and a petting zoo to provide family fun for when after the race was finished. 

The Hockey Hall of Fame was also on hand with some trophies on display.

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