Labor Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

The summer has now wound down and the Labor Day weekend is upon us… we just concluded a truly outstanding weekend in town with concerts, gatherings and fellowship. In this issue I will touch base on Labor Day celebrations through the years in our “Hamlet in the Hills “or “Switzerland of Wayne County” we call Northville.

LABOR DAY, as you know, pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American Workers, and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September.

Labor Day weekend also symbolized the end of summer, and many celebrate the beginning of fall with social gatherings, including family BBQ’s, parades and other festivities. Traditionally, athletic events have taken place over this weekend, ESPECIALLY football games (Go Mustangs! on Thursday, Go Green! Friday Night and Go Blue! Saturday).

In 1886, legislation was officially passed making it a State Holiday in Oregon, and the rest is history. In 1887, Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the state of New York also passed laws creating an official Labor Day holiday.

The holiday became a federally celebrated event in 1894, commemorated by a Labor Day parade in New York City, which followed celebrations dating back to the 1880’s there.

Let’s look back at some of the ways Northvillians have spent Labor Day in town over the years…

1895 – Labor Day train excursions left the Northville Train station (by the historic well on Northville Road) on an excursion to Belle Isle for the day. According to The Northville Record, the whole trip cost just 50 cents (round trip).1910 – Horse races, ball games, and music by the Northville City Band in the crow’s nest at the intersection of Main & Center entertained spectators. This year had one of the largest crowds ever up to that time, according to The Record.

1949 – The VFW sponsored Labor Day games, events, and music for the community.

1955 – The Northville Eagles supported festivities and organized the parade, which was led by state and local officials, with speeches at Ford Field. A community picnic was held at Cass Benton Park for the entire community.

1957 – ProfessionalMotorcycle racing took place over the Labor Day weekend at Northville Downs following a NASCAR stock car race earlier that year on July 4th.

1985 – Labor Day baseball tournaments continued the local Northville tradition. I even played in a few of them over the years … when I was much younger.

1995 – On this Labor Day weekend, a big-top circus dazzled and delighted the community (complete with Elephants).

Relax and enjoy your Labor Day holiday as we ready for the fall season and the new school year in our community. Have a BBQ, connect with family & friends and remember the holiday’s true meaning – to celebrate the hard work, determination, and sacrifices of our AMERICAN WORKERS.

Keep that Northville Labor Day Faith!

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

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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