Mardi Gras

NORTHVILLIANS,

This year’s Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday was truly a wild and exciting one with 60-degree days that transitioned to the worst ice storm we’ve seen in the area in 50 years (over 700,000 without power). Hundreds of trees were encased by the ice with branches breaking off throughout town. It was stated by DTE that the weight on each power line that was entombed by ice was equivalent of a grand piano pulling on each wire between the poles. The Fire Department had over 100 calls the first night ranging from downed trees and loose wires to smoking transformers. Our DPW workers along with our first responders worked tirelessly to assist our citizens and ensure all Northvillians were safe … I thank them all!

In town, the Library was available for warmth, refuge, and device-charging, additionally we added extended hours and staffing at our Community Center where free coffee was served till 10:00 PM each night and Northvillians could gather around the fireplace and plug in their devices, connect to Internet, and have another place to gather.

I thank all in the community for reaching out to others in town helping to get us through these trying times with sub-freezing weather. The Chili’in the Ville cook off this past weekend took our minds off the storm for a bit with thousands converging and FOX News documenting those enjoying the chili samplings from the restaurants and our community fire fighters.

Significant Historic Happenings in Town around Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras in the Ville, along with some significant weather events:

STORMS

1898 – Like last week, a blizzard with crippling ice came through this year that caused havoc with the phone & telegraph wires around town.

1934 – Over a foot of snow hit Northville in mid-February, and many were stranded.
1965 – In mid-February, according to The Record, many in town maneuvered via skis. Some said it was the worst storm in their memory, with more than 9 inches deposited quickly in the first few hours of the storm and it just kept snowing for days. More than 50 stranded cars were reported in town, and over 200 folks were marooned in the city. 
1974 – During this week in history Northville dug out of a 19-inch blast. It was reported that it was the heaviest snow in nearly a century. Most City streets were impassable.
1978 – A vicious ice & snowstorm hit Northville (schools & stores were closed for the week).

MARDI GRAS in Town

According to historians, festivities resembling Mardi Gras go back thousands of years to ancient Roman festivals. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich fatty foods like Paczkis before Lent begins … Following are some past Northville Mardi Gras events:

1975 – A Northville CommunityMardi Gras party was hosted by the Newcomers group.

1980 – Silver Springs school hosted a Mardi Gras party for all in the school district.

1990 – Holloway’s Bakery in town sold over 300 dozen Paczkis and some went to a senior event where the Art House is located today (Seniors always party hardy).

1997 – The Doughnut scene (CVS area today) was highlighted in The Record…they worked all night to make traditional paczkis (blueberry, custard, prune, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, custard & apple).

In 2023 the Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday led up to the largest ice event in the history of Northville … again I thank all in the community for helping your neighbors, friends, family and others make it through these days without power.  I thank those that went beyond the call of duty to assist all Northvillians … special thanks and appreciation go out to our first responders, the DPW TEAM and those that assisted at our warming stations at the Community Center and Library… take the time to slow down for a moment and thank them for all they did. It’s this sense of community and fellowship that makes Northville the special place it is. Thank you for sharing your time and talents once again.

Keep that Northville Faith!

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

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