NORTHVILLIANS,
During our fall fest series, I’ve written about our Victorian Heritage Festival, the Skeletons Alive event and Cider Mills. Last week we spoke about the spectacular Fall colors in the area. Today concludes the series as we celebrate our Norman Rockwell Halloween-type activities in the town we love. Last week, the Witches’ Night Out, the Michigan Philharmonic Phright Night Concert, and Halloween Hysteria at Mill Race were outstanding events … it was great to see many of you there.
Let’s take a look at how Halloween comes to Northville!
1908 – The Record reported that on Halloween night, some young pranksters took the front steps off a residence in the Historic District. Fast forward to 1938, it was reported that SUGAR BEETS were being tossed around in Orchard Heights as part of Halloween activities.
1951 – Ted Simms’ orchestra, all decked out in scary costumes, played for the Northville Halloween masquerade dance sponsored by the American Legion, with a “Boogie Woogie” Halloween scary pianist.
1953 – The VFW & Foreign Legion sponsored the community Halloween dance which took place at the High School gym, with an orchestra dressed in Halloween costumes.
1956 – Halloween festivities began with hours of free Scary Movies at the Marquis Theatre. (For this year, on 10/26 SCREAM-4 is being shown at the Marquis). Also, in 1956 A high school Halloween dance was held at the Community Center where 45 award-winning jack-o-lanterns were displayed (sponsored by the Mothers Club).
1960 – ManyNorthville trick-or-treaters collected money on Halloween from generous local residents for UNICEF, a fundraiser sponsored by the local churches.
1965 – The Northville Fire Department started their annual Halloween event and received great recognition regionally. Northville firefighters popped corn and gave out hundreds of local apples. Guernsey Dairy donated the popcorn machine, Casterlines provided the apples and Mayor Allen the popcorn. This tradition has continued to this day (59th Year).
1983 – Northville firefighters hosted thousands of folks at their annual Halloween event. Chief Allen observed that “it just keeps growing, like Halloween in the Ville!”
2010 – The Northville Record wrote about family-themed Halloween displays each year for trick or treaters (some for close to 30 years). Themes mentioned were: Pirates of the Caribbean, Wild West, Monster Mash, Trolls, Star Trek, and Ghostbusters – just to name a few.
2011 – The DDA debuted “Skeletons Alive” in downtown Northville, with 10 skeletons that were the delight of the community. This fun event continues to grow yearly with over 200 skeletons now on display. We also have a spooky pirate ship built at the Clock Tower and hundreds of spiders crawling up the walls in Town Square.
2024 – Northville will once again close streets around town for our youthful trick-or-treaters, 6- 8 PM. The Fire Department will be hosting their annual Halloween open house… and Dunlap and Main Street will be closed for vehicle traffic to keep our youth safe.
Come enjoy some tricks & treats in downtown Northville, or just walk about enjoying the ambiance and the fall colors in town. This concludes our “Fall Series” of activities happening in the Ville. We’ll transition to “Remembrances in Town” over the coming weeks, including Patriotism in the Ville, Veterans Days through history, and much more.
Keep that Northville Halloween 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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