BORDEN-CARLETON, P.E.I. — A parade, corn and mussel boil, bike rodeo, live entertainment, flag raising, and fireworks were just some of the offerings at the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Borden over the Canada Day weekend.
Betty Carroll tapped along to the music played under the tent pitched at the Marine Rail Park in Borden-Carleton while reminiscing about her childhood in the area.
“This is a reunion. We’re going back to people that were born in Borden, attended school, and still live here. My family lived near the water and often watched the Abegweit ferry sail in. My grandfather (Wellard Leard) would be so amazed if he could see the engineering feat of the Confederation Bridge,” said Carroll.
Mayor of Borden-Carleton Charlie MacKenzie said the celebrations “put the life back into the town” over the weekend.
Graham Lodge enjoyed the festivities at the Marine Rail Park.
“This is my hometown. I was born here, so I’ve seen all the changes over the years,” said Lodge while reflecting on the Gateway Village.
“When the Abegweit was built in the 1940’s I was 10-years-old, but my father was the electrical engineer on the vessel. My father continued to work on the boat, and when I was a student I worked on both boats; Prince Edward and the Abegweit for three summers,” he said as he motioned to the replica of the Abegweit that was part of the parade celebrations.
“I worked as a purser (responsible for handling the money on board), server, and deckhand,” said Lodge.
“The bridge is convenient, but I do miss a trip across on the ferry. It was much more exciting on arrival to the Island and sighting the red cliffs.”
Part of the celebrations included a slideshow of Borden-Carleton over the years including the ferry service to the building of Confederation Bridge.
Carroll, who watched the slideshow, said she remembered when there were just three homes overlooking the Northumberland Strait.
“This is the 100th year since Borden had been incorporated as a town, so we are going back through the years,” she said while acknowledging her grandfather worked on the Abegweit – loading the ramp to let the passengers off and on the ferry.
Fireworks lit up the sky, with the backdrop of Confederation Bridge, for the conclusion of the festivities on Sunday evening.
