Community Update from Mayor Turnbull

NORTHVILLIAN                               3/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! For this one special day, let’s all agree that whether SPARTY, WOLVERINE or other, let’s all go GREEN for the night!

St. Patrick’s Day Background:

• Saint Patrick’s Day is a yearly cultural & religious celebration held on March 17^th, and has many titles: The Feast of Saint Patrick, St. Patrick’s/St. Paddy’s/St. Patty’s Day. It was made an official Christian festival day in the early 17^th century.
• St. Paddy’s Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, Labrador and Montserrat.

• St. Patrick was known as the “Apostle of Ireland” and was an active missionary during the fifth century, along with being recognized as the patron Saint of Ireland … the day signifies the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.

Before reviewing Historic St. Patrick Day Celebrations in Northville … let’s see what’s happening in town today:

• St. Patrick’s Day Senior Luncheon – 3/17, 11:30AM @ the Community Center. Link
• Songs & Stories of Irish Folklore with Enda Reilly – 3/19, 7PM at Mill Race Village. Celebrate Irish culture with Reilly’s original songs inspired by Irish myths. Link
• Maybury Astronomy @ the Equinox – 3/21, 7:30PM – Look through telescopes @ Venus, Jupiter, the Moon, and the Orion Nebula Link
• Classic Michigan Food & Drinks Seminar with Jon Milan and Gail Offen at Mill Race Village – 3/25, 7PM. Fun stories, with Guernsey ice cream! Link
• Clara Bryant Ford: The Believer Seminar – 3/27, 10:30AM by Mark Campbell, great-great nephew of Clara Ford at Northville Community Center. Link[BT1]
• Maple Syrup Tours, March Weekends @ Maybury, 12:30-3:30PM. Link
• Northville Chamber hosts State of the Community Luncheon – 4/24, 11:30AM.City/Township/School District Updates at Schoolcraft College. Link
• Northville/Novi AAUW Michigan Fashion Designer Showcase Luncheon – 4/25 at Schoolcraft’s VistaTech. Link
• Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Marquis Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link

   INFO FOR CITIZENS …   Projects Around Town

• FORD FIELD – Work resumed on the Overhang Vista, ADA entryway, playscape, restrooms and the Serenity Point waterfall area.
• RIVERWALK – Downs section of the pathway system will be dedicated in June.
• DOWNS INITIATIVE – Work is continuing along the River Park, and the Central Park will start taking shape behind the Presby church soon. Apartment building taking shape.
• NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Farmers’ Market opens May 7th.

TASK FORCE MEETINGS

• Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 3/18/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)

   

• Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 3/23/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold – Chair)

Let’s look at St. Patrick’s Days in The Ville over time…

• Northville historically has had a notable percentage of Irish citizens who share my family’s Scottish/Irish heritage. (Brian PATRICK Turnbull)
• Years past, there were even cabbage fields off Rayson near Ford Field. Thus, the name “Cabbagetown” for this section of the Ville.

HISTORIC NORTHVILLE RECORD ARTICLES ON ST. PADDY’s DAY:
1890’s

• Some of the largest social gatherings in town, including parties & dances, were on St. Patrick’s Day. Hundreds from southeastern Michigan gathered at the Princess Rink (behind the Marquis Theatre).

  1912-1914

• The format for St. Paddy’s Day activities switched from more formal gatherings to a “Barn Dance” Shamrock affair. The cost for dinner, dancing & festivities was a $1.50 per couple. Country garb was in vogue then … over 500 attended!

  1920’s 

• The Record in 1920 ran an article about a St. Paddy’s Day luncheon with games, activities and elaborate Green & White decorations sponsored by the Woman’s Club. Also, in 1927, the High School Gym (Old Village School) was the location for an OLV-sponsored St. Patrick’s Day “Spirit of America” community banquet.

  1948 

• The Garden Club sponsored a St. Patrick’s Day luncheon in Orchard Heights. Table centerpieces featured green & pink snapdragons & yellow daffodils

  2001 

• The Northville Record ran an ad highlighting a Shamrock plant sale at IV Season’s flower shop (Baby Baby today). Green & White St. Paddy’s socks were in stock at the Marquis Gift Shoppe as well. The following Irish toast was published in the newspaper: 

  “May your blessings outnumber the Shamrocks that grow
    and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.”

  2021 

• In downtown Northville, GREEN beer & festivities abounded. The Shawn Riley Band played some Irish jigs in the town square area.

This St. Paddy’s Day I invite you to be part of our traditions and sample some Irish Stew & Corned Beef, watch Irish Dancers in town, drink some GREEN beer, and listen to the music that will abound in the Ville … and especially get in the spirit.  

Keep that Irish up, Northvillians … in a good way!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville