Labor Day

NORTHVILLIANS,

The summer has now wound down and the Labor Day Holiday is upon us… just as we 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” that Northville was historically called.

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 symbolizes 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 also take place over this weekend, ESPECIALLY football games … Go Mustangs! on Thursday vs. Lake Orion @ Wayne State, Go Green! (MSU vs. Western) Friday Night and Go Blue! (Michigan vs. New Mexico) Saturday.

In 1886, legislation was officially passed making Labor Day 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 ways Northvillians have spent Labor Day over the years…

1895 – Labor Day train excursions left the Northville Train station (by the historic well on Northville Road) to visit Belle Isle. According to The Northville Record, the whole trip cost just 50 cents (round trip).

1910 – Horse races, ball games, & music by the Northville City Band in the crow’s nest (intersection Main/Center) entertained record numbers of spectators, 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 & local officials, with speeches at Ford Field. A community picnic was held at Cass Benton Park.

1957 – Professional Motorcycle racing took place over the Labor Day weekend at Northville Downs following a NASCAR stock car race earlier that summer 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 younger and Dinosaurs roamed the earth – Ha!)

1995 – 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 (which we will talk about next week). 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.)

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