Northvillians and friends,
Happy Pre-Fourth of July Weekend – we are now officially into summer after the solstice last week. As we get ready for the holiday festivities, let’s look back at yesteryear’s Fourth of July celebrations in town. We’ll also look at patriotism as we talk about our 4th of July parades and memories of the past.
Independence Day is a federal holiday in the U.S., commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the 13 American colonies were no longer under King George III & Britain; they were now united, free, and independent.
What’s going on today
• Music in downtown Northville through the Summer. Fridays – Link, Saturday – Link. Sunday – Details to come.
• 7/4 at 10 a.m. – The Fourth of July Parade downtown. Mill Race Village activities from 11-2 p.m., including food, games, building tours, and historic reenactments. Link
• Mill Race Village Lane Improvement Project – Beginning Monday, July 15, a major renovation will begin. The park will be closed to the public to install the bricks, improving drainage and safety. Support the project by dedicating a commemorative custom engraved brick. Visit their Facebook page for details.
• Summer Camps for Kids – Registration is open for Parks and Rec youth camps! Link
Fourth of July happenings and patriotism over the years
• 1876 – The city celebrated the nation’s Centennial in grand fashion with patriotic red, white, and blue banners adorning most of the businesses and homes (the majority of these structures are still in town today). The parade route was similar to today’s and concluded with a fabulous fireworks display that night. Stay tuned – both myself and Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo are exploring the opportunity to have community fireworks at the new Parks and Recreation Legacy Park location in a future year.
1895 – More than 5,000 visitors enjoyed activities from dawn-to-dusk, starting off with a sunrise 21-gun salute, a parade, a three-ring circus and of course, fireworks! People came from all over southeast Michigan via train, trolley, and stagecoach to participate.
• 1927 – Northville’s Centennial – The grandiose three-day event included concerts, activities, ball games, square dancing, fireworks, and the largest parade in Michigan (up to that time), with floats from Henry Ford himself, who loved this town.
• 1932 – Horse Races – The Fourth of July races at the Downs included thoroughbreds that year. In addition to the racing, the town carried on with the traditional fireworks and street dancing along with music on Center (from Main to Dunlap) … very reminiscent of today’s downtown social district with its music and festivities.
• 1948 – Fourth of July Water Hose Fire Department Battle – Northville vs. Plymouth, exciting and humorous (hundreds watched on either side … Northville won)!
• 1953 – Pony Rides and Speed Boat Rides – Ford Motor Company provided pony rides for more than 1,000 children and free “Speed Boat” rides on the Mill Pond… can you imagine speed boat rides on the Mill Race pond today?
• Street Dancing and Concerts – Traditionally over 100 years ago, the summer concert series with dancing on Center St. kicked off on July 4th each year and finished up on Labor Day.
• Local Amusement Park and Big Band Venue – Back in the day, people would catch the trolley after the parade in Northville to head to nearby Walled Lake to enjoy the amusement park and participate in speed boat rides on the big lake. In the 1940’s the casino there hosted big bands including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Louie Armstrong and Guy Lombardo, among others.
In the 1960’s, artists such as Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, and Fabian performed on the lake over the Fourth of July. Many of the performers were spotted around Northville grabbing some ice cream or attending the parade. Bob Seger even performed here at other times (not on July 4th) in the late 60s.
Northville has always been a Fourth of July destination. Enjoy the town’s beauty, stroll through Ford Field and Mill Race Village and soak in that Fourth of July history.
Be sure to make your way to the parade on July 4th at 10 a.m. and watch the jets fly over to salute the town’s patriotism!
Keep that Northville 4th of July Faith & Happy Birthday, America!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor, city of Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
