Everything you need to know about the International Bridge Walk

NEWS RELEASE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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Join us this Saturday, June 24 and Celebrate International Friendship at the 31st Annual International Bridge Walk & Bicycle Parade. The Bicycle Parade will start at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Bridge Walk at 9:30 a.m. 

Both events depart the Norris Center in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Please see below for important information on busing for both Canadian and American Bridge Walk participants as well as ID requirements and what you should, and should not bring.

Important Safety and Security Information

In order to participate, U.S. and Canadian Citizens and all others must comply with WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) regulations, and have one of the following pieces of identification with them during the walk: a valid passport, NEXUS card, enhanced driver’s license or INAC.

Participants 15 and younger MUST be accompanied by an adult, and must have a copy of their birth certificate. It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure they have the required identification. For full guidelines please visit https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states.

Please bring a minimum amount items to carry. No animals are permitted, with the sole exception of seeing-eye dogs. For safety reasons, no rollerblades, roller-skates, skateboards, etc. are permitted. The only strollers permitted are umbrella strollers.

Busing Information

The pick-up location in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario is “The Yard” (Huron Street). Busing passengers will be dropped off at the Norris Center in Sault Ste. Marie MI.

Buses will begin transporting walkers from the Canadian side at 7:00am and will run until 8:00am only. Seating is limited and is on a first come basis. Cost: $4.00 per person / $13 per family.

Please arrive early. Later arrivals are not guaranteed seats. Large strollers cannot be transported on buses, only umbrella strollers will be allowed.

Breakfast:

A hot breakfast will be available at the Norris Centre at a cost of $7 USD or $9 CAD.

Bicycle Parade

The Bicycle Parade is a joint event coordinated by the Sault Cycling Club and Soo Bicycle Club. Inquires please call 906-440-5134. Bicycle Parade Begins at 8:30am SHARP, weather permitting.

The parade route begins and ends at the Norris Center. Bicyclists will cross the bridge and turn around before going through Canadian Customs, returning to the Norris Centre. Canadian participants are encouraged to ride or transport bikes across before 7:45am. Bicyclists must be able to complete the five-mile parade route in less than one hour.

No training wheels and no power-assisted bicycles can be allowed; pedal driver bicycles, adult tricycles and quad cycles are allowed. Helmets are required by law for age 17 and younger and are strongly recommended for all.

Bridge Walk

The Bridge Walk begins at 9:30 a.m. SHARP and will depart from the Norris Center in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. For safety reasons, walkers who arrive after the walk begins will not be permitted to participate.

This year, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics will lead the International Bridge Walk. Any participants wishing to run or jog are welcome to join.

The walk is approximately 3 miles or 4.8 km and ends at ‘The Yard’, in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Buses will then transport walkers back to the U.S. continually until 12 noon or until all walkers are returned.

For more information please visit: facebook.com/SSMbridgewalk, http://www.ssmcoc.com/events/2017/06/24/1425. Share your stories on social media with #FriendshipWalk2017

Thank you to community sponsors: The Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce, The Sault Area Chamber of Commerce, The International Bridge Administration, The Tech, Lake Superior State University, War Memorial Hospital and Your Place, Jon!

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