Holiday Lighted Parade

NORTHVILLIANS,

As part of our Remembrances Series, this week’s topic will center around Northville’s Holiday Parade through the years. Last week, we spoke about our Veterans Day activities, and I had an opportunity to spend time at the VFW Post as well as stop by the American Legion, along with other events that included a gathering at our Allen Terrace Senior Housing Center.

It was truly a privilege to honor our local military heroes whose images (close to 250) are up on banners throughout the town. I encourage you to view some of these heroes as you watch the lighted parade this Saturday night.

AS WE READY FOR OUR HOLIDAY SANTA PARADE, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THIS EVENT THROUGH THE YEARS:

• 1976 – According to The Record, when the nation was celebrating its bicentennial (1976), Northvillians lined our downtown streets as Santa Claus arrived, where he would take up temporary residence at the North Pole Santa Exhibit in Town Square. 
   
• 1988 – The community’s traditional Santa Parade took place in all its glory, traveling around the town past City Hall to a throng of cheering youth. The Record stated, “Northville’s High School Band played brilliantly as ever at the festive parade, where a holiday trolley was featured, and a calliope organ played holiday favorites.”
   
• 1996 – Santa made a triumphant ride through town and was pulled by 18 LIVE reindeer. Merchants decorated their shops in holiday finery. The town was ready for the Holidays!
   
• 1998 – This year, in addition to Santa arriving, there were clowns, carriages and carolers in town… the parade was featured live on TV.
   
• 2004 – Northville rolled out the Red Carpet for the Holiday parade… 35 new floats participated, along with Arabian horses and much more (so reported The Northville Record).
   
• 2013 – A record attendance crowd came to view the 47 entries on a cold snowy night. A local resident was quoted in The Record as saying, “The parade is a reflection of the spirit of Northville,” and many stated it was their favorite parade yet in the Ville.
   
• 2019 – My first Holiday Parade as Mayor was a festive event, with Dr. Demray’s Preservation Dental presenting their classic VW Bugs all decorated in Holiday lights. “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” was the theme.

I look forward to seeing you and your family welcoming Santa at the tree lighting and carol singing in Town Square shortly after 7:00 PM Saturday (11/19), following the parade.  I will once again have the great honor and pleasure to present Santa with the Keys to the City, which will make it easier for him to get back into town for Christmas deliveries. Also, check out the Mill Race Village as it prepares for Christmas in the Village and the Festival of Trees.

Get into the Holiday Spirit! See you downtown Saturday night for all the festivities.
 
Keep that Northville Holiday Lighted Parade Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

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