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 and attended other events at local senior centers who were paying tribute to veterans.

It was truly a privilege to honor our local military heroes whose images (close to 250) were up on banners throughout the town. The banners will again be flown during the month of May in honor of Memorial Day.

As we prepare for the Holiday season, I encourage you and your family to come downtown for the Lighted parade Friday evening and the “Holiday Greens Sale” through the weekend.

Let’s take a look at the Holiday Lighted Parade through the years:

• 1976 – According to The Record, when the nation was celebrating its bicentennial, Northvillians lined our downtown streets as Santa Claus arrived, where he would take up residence at the North Pole Santa Exhibit in Town Square. 
• 1988 – The community’s traditional Santa Parade took place in all its glory, traveling 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 reindeer. Merchants decorated shops in holiday finery. Northville was prepped for the Season!
• 1998 – This year, in addition to Santa’s arrival, there were clowns, horse drawn carriages and carolers in town… the parade was featured live on local TV stations.
• 2004 – Northville rolled out the Red Carpet for the Holiday parade… 35 new floats participated, along with Arabian horses and much more (reported The 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 saying, “The parade is a reflection of the spirit of Northville,” and many stated it was their favorite parade yet in the Ville.
• 2019 – This was my first Holiday Parade as Mayor and it was festive, 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.
• 2024 – This year’s Holiday Lighted Parade will feature 63 entries, and a new sensory section for all to enjoy the festivities, along with the Northville Chorale caroling and Santa & Mrs. Claus assisting to light the tree in Town Square after the parade.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the parade (6:30 PM Friday) followed by a welcoming for Santa at the tree lighting and carol singing in Town Square shortly after 7:00 PM. I will once again have the great honor 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 Holiday Greens Market this weekend downtown.

Get into the Holiday Spirit, see you downtown Friday night!

Keep that Northville Holiday Lighted Parade 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.)

Click the following link to subscribe to this weekly newsletter:
https://mailchi.mp/5a31f2ec1a6e/turnbullformayor