2021 International Bridge Walk cancelled

In a joint news release issued today by the Sault Ontario and Michigan Chambers of Commerce, it was announced that the annual International Bridge Walk and Bicycle Parade is cancelled for this year.

The cancellation is due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the U.S. / Canada border to non-essential travel.

Full text of the news release follows:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the current closure of the U.S. / Canada border to non-essential travel, the Annual Bridge Walk and Bicycle Parade at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge will not be held in 2021.

The International Bridge Walk and Bicycle Parade is traditionally held on the final Saturday in June. The much-anticipated event is jointly hosted by the Chambers of Commerce in both Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., with the assistance of the International Bridge Administration.

Following the cancellation of the 2020 event, organizers hosted a small, symbolic walk (in accordance with social distancing and safety guidelines in place at that time) which included delegations from both Saults meeting at the centre of the International Bridge in a recreation of the structure’s original 1963 dedication ceremony. The 16-minute virtual Bridge Walk video produced from that event, includes a great deal of historical information, archival photography, and video footage of the International Bridge throughout its almost 60 year history. The Sault Michigan and Sault Ontario Chambers invite members of the two communities, along with Bridge Walk patrons, to enjoy the video here.

International Bridge Walk and Bicycle Parade organizers remain hopeful that with vaccination distribution well underway in both countries, and if public safety permits, that the event may be able to resume as early as June 2022.