Dallas is gearing up for the weekend-long celebration of the official opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. The architectural icon, designed by Santiago Calatrava connects Downtown Dallas to West Dallas over the Trinity River. The bridge is a landmark, and the festivities will be fabulous with singer Lyle Lovett as the headline entertainment.
Bridging The Trinity For The Love Of The City
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration: March 2-4, 2012
For more information: 214.740.1616 or mhhbridgecelebration.com
Friday-Sunday, March 2-4, 2012 | Bridge-o-Rama
Bridge-o-Rama is a festival taking place in West Dallas and other nearby neighborhoods to celebrate the opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. With signature experience, a Bridge-o-Rama pavilion, and countless events, Bridge-o-Rama will feature the debut of several new restaurants, a Parade of Giants, a world music concert, an area-wide faith celebration and more. The West Dallas Chamber of Commerce and West Dallas Foundation are staging Bridge-o-Rama in collaboration with many organizations and volunteers from throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Location: Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge connecting Downtown Dallas and West Dallas over the Trinity River, Woodall Rodgers Freeway and Riverfront Blvd., Dallas, TX 75207
Celebration Event
Friday, March 2, 2012
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Party
7 p.m.-11 p.m. – Ticket Price: $200
Between the glowing Dallas skyline on the eastside and the vibrant festivities of Bridge-o-Rama in West Dallas, party guests (2,000 expected) will experience the beauty of Santiago Calatrava’s design up close as they enjoy celebrity chef creations, specialty drinks, headliner entertainment, and dance the night away on the bridge.
Entertainment Featuring Lyle Lovett
- Lyle Lovett and His Large Band will headline this memorable evening as guests and supporters dance the night away on the bridge.
- DJ Lucy Wrubel will spin bridge tunes for the guests.
- Trinity Groves celebrity chefs will serve delectable delights.
- Dallas Pedicabs rides.
- Designs by Sean is creating Calatrava-inspired architectural costumes that are up to 14 feet tall and will be a part of Friday night and Saturday’s festivities.
- Award-Winning Street Corner Symphony sings.
The evening culminates under the glow of fireworks and the dramatic lighting of the bridge. Hosted by The Trinity Trust.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Trinity River Levee Run (5K and 10K)
The eighth annual MWH Trinity River Levee Run goes from 8am-12pm on the West Dallas side of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and proceeds across the bridge, through the Design District and back, ending in West Dallas. Hosted by the Trinity Commons Foundation.
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Street Fair
FREE and open to the public
On this day, the bridge is the star attraction. The Saturday Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Street Fair is one of the few opportunities for citizens to walk across Calatrava’s vehicular bridge, the first in the United States. Local musicians and bands play on multiple stages as sidewalk artists, dancers, street food vendors and Calatrava-inspired architectural costumed performers interact with thousands expected to attend.
- Local entertainment all day, including Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights
- Douglas Rouse Chalk Artist
- Parade of Builders honoring those who helped build the bridge including Santiago Calatrava
- Dallas Pedicabs rides
- Bands include Larry g(EE) Band, Lauren Adelle, The Burning Hotels and Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights.
- Face painting
- Chance Foreman duct tape art
- Trinity River Corridor Photo Contest winners’ work featured
- Trinity River Student Art Contest winners’ artwork featured
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Sunrise Blessing and Ribbon Cutting
FREE and Open to the Public
6:50 a.m. Sunrise
7:30 a.m. Blessing and Ribbon Cutting
Everyone is invited to attend the blessing of the bridge and the official ribbon cutting with special music by Orchestra of New Spain honoring the Spanish naming of the Trinity River, Street Corner Symphony singing the National Anthem and a festive non-traditional ribbon cutting with hundreds of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Bridging the Trinity Bike Ride, A Tour Over and Through the History of Trinity River Bridges
1:30 p.m. | FREE
This casual bike tour will cover some of the major historical moments of the Trinity River and its bridges. Bike Friendly Oak Cliff leads this tour of several of the downtown-adjacent bridges that span the Trinity River.
For more information about the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Celebration Party, visit http://www.mhhbridgecelebration.com.
*Bridge Photo by Marco Becerra