4th of July in the Ville
Posted on 07/01/2025
Mayor Brian Turnbull

THE NORTHVILLIAN                               6/30/2025                                                                                                                                                                                

NORTHVILLIANS,


fire truck 4th of july image

Happy Pre-Fourth of July weekend – we are now officially into Summer. It was great seeing many of you last week at the quarterly State of the Community address at Genitti’s and at Brown Dog Creamery’s New Flavors Launch Party, which featured samples of their new Faygo and Better Made flavors.

As we get ready for the holiday festivities, I thought it would be interesting to look back at yesteryear’s Fourth of July celebrations in town. This continues our Summer Theme batch of newsletters, which started last week with Maybury’s 50th Anniversary.   

FYI – Independence Day is a federal holiday in the US, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under King George III and Britain, and they were now united, free, and independent.

Before looking at Historic Fourth of July activities, let’s see what’s happening today:

  • 2025 Northville 4th of July Events
    • Fourth of July Parade, Friday at 10AM, downtown – Link
    • Mill Race Village functions 11am-2pm – Link

  • 31st Annual Garden Walk – Wed, 7/9, 9 AM-4 PM – Country Garden Club of Northville presents six charming gardens for you to tour. Link
  • Mill Race Village is now open Sundays, 1-4 PM – Stroll the newly bricked lane, tour the historic buildings, and shop in the General Store at 215 Griswold.
  • Upcoming Music/Concerts/Events – Chamber/DDA Link, Maybury Link, Marquis Link, Northville Winery Link, NOMI Link, Genitti’s Link, Tipping Point Theatre Link
  • Northville Cars and Coffee (Established in 2019 by Alexander’s Custom Clothiers & the Mayor), 7/12, 8-11 AM at 550 7 Mile across from Custard Time
  • Northville Concours d’Elegance, 7/13 – Mill Race Village Link
  • 1927 (Northville Centennial) 4th of July Parade Video … Link

INFO FOR CITIZENS … 

Projects Around Town

  • Ford Field – Phase I: (Built) New waterfall at Serenity Point. Phase II: (Summer ’25) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase upgrades, ADA entrance (Fall ’25) a new playscape starts becoming a reality. Phase III (2026) – Bathrooms.

  • Riverwalk – Riverwalk/Pathway system coming together at the Downs … 1100 trees delivered for the River Park, boulevards, entry ways & the new City Park. Bridges across the Downs riverwalk section being constructed and the river will flow above ground in August.  The entire park will take shape this fall.
  • Downs Initiative – Construction progressing (Infrastructure/Townhomes/Apartments)
  • Farmers’ Market – This Northville gathering place was provided by the Township & the City working together.  Visit the Farmers Market across from Custard Time (550 7 Mile), Thursdays, 8am - 2pm, May-October. Other events planned: Car shows, (2nd Saturday monthly), drive-in movies, festivals, carnivals. etc.  
  • Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link

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    NOW LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES THROUGH 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 standing). 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 planning a fireworks celebration for the Northville Community bicentennial in 2027.]  

  • 1895 – Over 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 trolley, train, and stagecoach to participate. 
  • 1927 – Northville’s Centennial: The grandiose 3-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. Link
  • 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 & festivities.
  • 1948 – Fourth of July Water Hose Fire Department Battle: Northville vs. Plymouth, exciting & humorous (hundreds watched on either side … Northville won!)
  • 1953 – Pony Rides and Speed Boat Rides! Ford Motor Company provided Free pony rides for more than 1,000 children and Ford Powered “Speed Boat” rides on the Mill Pond… can you imagine speed boat rides on the Mill Pond today?
  • Street Dancing & Concerts – Traditionally over 100 years ago, the summer concert series with dancing on Center St. kicked off on July 4th and finished up on Labor Day.  
  • Local Amusement Park & Big Band Venue – Back in the day, people would catch the trolley or make their way 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 hosted big bands including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Louie Armstrong and even 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 other times of the year in the late sixties (but not on the Fourth).

 

You can see, Northville has always been a Fourth of July destination. Enjoy the town’s beauty, stroll through Ford Field and the Mill Race Village and soak in that Fourth of July history. AND BE SURE to make your way to the parade on July 4th at 10:00 AM and watch the jets fly over to salute the town!

Keep that Northville 4th of July Faith & Happy Birthday, America!

Brian Turnbull

Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849