NORTHVILLIAN
Fourth of July EDITION
Happy Pre-Fourth of July weekend – we are now past the solstice and officially into Summer. It was great seeing many of you last week downtown on the “new” street & brickwork with the flower pots around the Main Street clock. I also noticed lots of people gravitating to the just-opened Downs River Park, the new Ford Field Playscape and the Mill Race Village.
We have had THREE ribbon cuttings over the past three weeks due to all the work of Northvillians on task forces, boards and commissions. As we ready for holiday festivities, I thought it would be interesting to look back at yesteryears’ Fourth of July celebrations in town. This Fourth of July note starts my Summer Theme batch of newsletters.
Fourth of July iis a federal holiday, commemorating the Declaration of Independence signing on July 4th, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies were no longer under King George III & Britain, & they were now united, free & independent.
BEFORE LOOKING AT FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES, LETS SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY…
- FORD FIELD - The new Playscape has constantly been enjoyed by all ages of youth & their families. The new ADA entry way is being used from Hutton St & the views around the placemaking Serenity Point waterfall has been outstanding.
- RIVERWALK – The Downs Section of the Riverwalk is now open across from the Chamber’s award-winning Farmers’ Market. Stop by Custard Time & walk around the park, noticing the intricate attention to detail, now with over 1400 trees where there were none before. Countless native plants line the riverbanks, shading our fish population.
- DOWNS INITIATIVE – The FIRST Wayne County Roundabout for better ingress/egress on 7 Mile & Sheldon had its ribbon cutting earlier this month.
- NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – The Chambers Farmers’ Market every Thursday. Car Show there 2nd Saturdays 8AM-10AM (Next one July 11th)
- GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M)–Link
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force Mtg – 7/13/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold –Chair)
- ¾SeeLinkfor information or Linkto donate/support.
- Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 7/15/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
- ¾Additional ways to be involved will be posted soon. To support: Link
Let’s take a look at Fourth of July activities through the years.
- 1876 – The City celebrated the nation’s Centennial in grand fashion with patriotic Red, White and Bluebanners adorning most of the businesses and homes (the majority of these structures are still standing). The parade route was similar to today’s and concluded with a fabulous fireworks display that night.
[Stay tuned – both myself & Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo are planning a fireworks celebration for the Northville Community bicentennial in 2027.]
Historically since 1916 Meadowbrook Country Club kicks off the fireworks season before the 4th … you may have seen the show Friday night lighting up the skies of the Ville.
- 1895 – Over 5,000 visitors enjoyed activities from dawn-to-dusk, starting off with a sunrise 21-gun salute, a parade, a three-ring circus and of course, FIREWORKS! People came from all over southeast Michigan via trolley, train, and stagecoach to participate.
- 1927 – Northville’s Centennial: The grandiose 3-day event included concerts, social activities, ball games, square dancing, fireworks, and the largest parade in Michigan (up to that time), with floats from Henry Ford himself, who loved this town. Parade Link
- 1932 – Horse Races: The Fourth of July races at the Downs included thoroughbreds that year. In addition to the racing, the town carried on with the traditional Fireworks and Street Dancing on the closed boulevards with Music on Center (Main to Dunlap) … very reminiscent of today’s downtown social district with its music & festivities.
- 1948 – Fourth of July Water Hose Fire Department Battle: Northville vs. Plymouth, exciting & humorous (hundreds watched on either side … Northville won!)
- 1953 – Pony Rides and Speed Boat Rides! Ford Motor Company provided Free pony rides for more than 1,000 children and Ford-powered “Speed Boat” rides on the Mill Pond for even more … can you imagine speed boat rides on the Mill Pond today?
- Street Dancing & Concerts – Traditionally, over 100 years ago, the summer concert series with dancing on Center St. kicked off on July 4th and finished up on Labor Day.
- Local Amusement Park & Big Band Venue – Back in the day, people would catch the trolley or make their way after the parade in Northville to head to nearby Walled Lake to enjoy the amusement park and participate in speed boat rides on the big lake.
In the 1940’s, the Casino hosted big bands including Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Louie Armstrong and even Guy Lombardo, among others. In the 1960’s, artists such as Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, and Fabian performed on the Lake over the Fourth of July. Many of the performers were seen around Northville grabbing some ice cream or attending the parade.
And very notably, a local Ann Abor musician named Bob Seger (who was recently seen touring the Downs Development) even performed here other times of the year in the late sixties (but not on the Fourth).
You can see, Northville has always been a Fourth of July destination. Enjoy the town’s beauty, stroll through Ford Field and the Mill Race Village and soak in that Fourth of July history. AND BE SURE to make your way to the parade on July 4th at 10:00 AM and watch the jets fly over to salute the town!
Keep that Northville 4th of July Faith & Happy 250th Birthday, America!
Keep that Northville Bicentennial Faith!
Brian Turnbull, Mayor – Northville