WACO, Texas — The Waco Suspension Bridge is the past, present and future fused together.
After being closed for two years for renovations, this historic bridge will finally welcome the public to walk across it this weekend.
The official reopening is set for Saturday, April 22, there will be a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m., a Cattle Drive and so much more.
To kick things off, celebrations will start Friday night at 7 p.m.
Live music, food trucks and a large drone show will set the stage for the reopening, bringing back Brazos Nights to the community.
The community can come out to enjoy music from Asleep at the Wheel, Jackie Venson and Mariachi Azteca Waco.
"It's kind of an incredible moment where we're inviting the community back in to have their bridge back," City of Waco's Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Tom Balk said.
Hundreds of community members made their way to the Brazos River to celebrate.
"I'm excited about it because we do come down to a lot of the concerts and festivals that they have, so I always enjoy coming down here because it's such a beautiful setting," Debra Noles, lived in Waco since 2009, said. "Now that the bridge is open, I think that will draw a lot more people to Waco."
Balk added that the bridge, built in 1870, was once the longest suspension bridge West of the Mississippi, but today it symbolizes the connection Waco has across the river.
"It really brings our city together," Director of Waco Parks and Recreation Jonathan Cook said, "It has since 1870. Just a lot of history packed in and it has really become the icon of our city."
The structure has history that's been preserved, but there are new additions that'll help it last for generations to come.
New cables, lighting and a new concrete base were put in.
The concrete base replaced the wood panels that used to lay on the bridge, that would allow water to seep through.
There are wooden walkways on either side of the bridge, which allows people to look a the view safely.
After $14 million, the project is finished and for many, the work of keeping the bridge beautiful will never be over.
"This really is a generational responsibility but privilege as well," Balk said.
For many, this bridge has seen wedding photos, proposals or locals taking in the outdoors.
"It's an anchor for Waco to have this bridge," another Waco resident said. "A lot if people come to the downtown area and this is one area where you can walk along the river, enjoy the scenery. It’s just a really relaxing area.”
This historic landmark now bridges the gap between downtown Waco and East Waco.
"For years, we've been hoping that East Waco would get a little more connected to this side and I'm hoping in the future there’s even more that connect the two," Martha McGaugh, born and raised in Waco, said.
Waco is an ever evolving city that keeps on growing, full of people proud to call it home.
"There’s a lot to do. People just need to get out an explore it," Noles said. "There’s just so much diversity in Waco.”
"We love Waco. We really do," McGaugh said. "I grew up here and I moved away but I joke all the time that every road leads back to Waco."
If you missed Friday's festivities guess what, the fun’s not over! Saturday morning at 11 am the official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held and the cattle drive will make its way across the bridge.