No foolin' the Murfreesboro City Council read a proclamation Thursday night, March 16, officially naming the "Bridge over Broad" Bridgey McBridgeface for one day.
And that day is, wait for it, April Fool's Day.
That's right on April 1, 2018, (and for one day only) the Bridge over Broad will be named Bridgey McBridgeface.
“Shakespeare said, ‘A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool,” said Mayor Shane McFarland. “Who are we to question the wisdom of the people in the naming of a bridge, better to be a fool if even for a day.”
And on April 1 we will all be fools as the members of the City Council show they have a sense of humor.
McFarland said he took the hint from the overwhelming public support for the humorous naming and issued the official "tongue in cheek" proclamation.
The name came about after the City of Murfreesboro asked citizens to share their suggestions for naming or re-naming the so-called “Bridge Over Broad” by participating in an online web survey that ended in February.
The name "Bridgey McBridgeface" gained popularity in part through a social media campaign initiated by Murfreesboro resident Jeanne Vest from a story by Michelle Willard of the Murfreesboro Voice after the City Council announced in December it was accepting nominations to name the bridge.
“The petition has always been about making people smile,” Vest said. “By acknowledging the thousands of ‘McBridgeface’ supporters with an honorary title, the mayor and the City Council have sent a message that they respect the voices of the people who love this city.”
Thanks to the petition, "Bridgey McBridgeface" garnered the most votes in the City survey with 775 total submissions out of a total of 150 unique names. The catchy name was supported by a petition drive organized by Vest on change.org. The campaign generated over 4,517 supporters.
The city's online survey was an opportunity for citizens to participate in creating a name for the bridge. The final decision for naming the bridge rests at the state level and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. So we know they will pick something boring.
Meanwhile, tracing the history or saga of "Bridgey McBridgeface" takes one back to jolly old England where they have tried to use the moniker on a pedestrian bridge in Bristol, England, and name a boat Boaty McBoatface. The bridge was officially named "Castle Bridge" and the boat was named RRS Sir David Attenborough. Much to everyone's disappointment.
Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics, true crime, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com.