Rudy Johnson has been chosen as Honorary Parade Marshal for the Daybreak Rotary’s Stampede Parade.
Johnson, 94, is famous for building the Rudy Johnson Bridge across the Fraser River at Soda Creek.
When his wife nearly drowned crossing the river on the Soda Creek ferry, he decided to build the bridge and located a bridge in Alaska which he dismantled and paid to have transported to the Cariboo.
The bridge was completed in 1968 and is still in use today.
Johnson is the perfect choice, said family friend Adele Hamilton on hearing the news Thursday.
“It’s so well-deserved,” Hamilton said. “He will be great at it. He is the best man I’ve ever known.”
Daybreak Rotary past president Lori Macala said the parade’s theme is “Canada 150+” thisyear, noting the parade will have a new route.
“It will turn off Borland Avenue onto Seventh Avenue between Save-On-Foods and the Sandman, then right onto Oliver Street,” Macala said.
The parade will be held on Canada Day, Saturday, July 1.