Northvillians and friends,
Mark your calendars! The Northville Chamber of Commerce will be launching Opening Day of the Farmers’ Market on Thursday, May 2. Northville’s Farmers’ Market has consistently been award-winning. It is the largest Thursday market in the state and averages more than 2,000 visitors each Thursday from over 90 zip codes, according to data collected last year.
This year, because of the Downs Development activities, it will be temporarily transitioned to the Highland Lakes Shopping Center at 7 Mile and Northville Road. With the outstanding weather as of late, ready yourself for a big opening day, being the perfect opportunity to grab some flowers for your gardens, a special person in your life or in preparation for Mother’s Day.
What’s going on today
• The Bicentennial Task Force – Our next gathering will be 7 p.m., May 2 at City Hall.
• Cemetery Renovation (Cemeterians) – Next meeting will be May 9 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
• Rouge River Revived – Wednesday 4/24, 7 p.m. at Mill Race Village’s New School Church – Author Dr. John Hartig and Nancy Darga share the environmental history of the Rouge River, from Native Americans through industrialization and its revival.
• State of the Community Luncheon (City/Township/School District) – 4/26 at 11:30 a.m. at the Italian American Banquet Center.
• Cooke School’s Walk and Roll Fundraiser – Saturday, 4/27, 10-11:30 AM. This accessible event at Tom Holzer Ford Field (682 Baseline Road) supports the PTA, students and staff. Learn more or donate: Link
• Patriots’ Day – Saturday, 4/27, 10 AM – 4 PM at Mill Race Village. Witness re-enactments from 1775 and Drum & Fife Corps appearances and come learn about history.
• Tipping Point Theatre’s production of “The Squirrels” – Through May 5
• Cars and Coffee – Saturday, 5/11, 8-10 AM – Join us for the first gathering of the season, behind Old Village School next to the Library (212 W. Cady St.) – Bring a car/bring yourself.
• Convertibles needed to transport dignitaries in our Memorial Day and July 4 parades. If you have one to share or that you can drive in the parade … please contact me.
Historic Farmers’ Market activities
The Farmers’ Market is sponsored and run by the Northville Chamber of Commerce. The first day of the season is always exciting and draws a large crowd coming from all over the state. Many take off from work to attend Opening Day activities, and I always have to clarify that it isn’t for the Tigers opening day – it’s for the Northville Farmers’ Market. I will visit the market on May 2 to experience its 2024 launch at its new transitional location.
Highlights of related Northville’s Farmers’ Market history
1827 – Northville’s roots originated as an agricultural community. Our town was founded as a center of commerce in the Michigan Territory, with the first mills established here grinding the corn and wheat because of access to three flowing tributaries. Later, that hydraulic power was used during the Industrial Revolution when Northville was second only to Detroit in economics and production in the State. From these early beginnings, much of the produce from our surrounding farmers started to be sold in Northville, setting the stage for a central regional selling location of local grown crops.
1919 – An article in The Record focused on Pickard’s Meat & Farmers’ Market housed in the old Opera House on Dunlap and Center Street (where a new multi-use structure has just been built). The article mentioned that the market did well by selling local vegetables from community farmers, augmented with selections of poultry, fish, and other livestock. Early on, many of the vegetables, fruit, and berries for this market came from the Orchard Heights area of town where the Eaton Farm occupied most of the land from Rogers to Clement and from Main to 7 Mile.
Additionally, during the early 1900s, fresh cheese from Northville’s famous Cheese Factory owned by Governor Warner of Farmington was sold alongside many vendors’ products, both locally and at Eastern Market in Detroit.
1952 – Shortly after our Opera House was torn down, the market was hosted in various parking lots around town.
1974 – The Thursday Farmers’ Market was then led by John Genitti and offered produce from local farms, including vegetables, fruits, even maple syrup tapped from the area’s plethora of maple trees.
1988 – The Farmers’ Market was located in the MAGS parking lot (today’s Northville Square) across from the Post Office.
Over the years the Farmers’ Market has been housed in many locations around town, including Town Square, Main and Hutton, Northville Square, the Marquis Theatre parking lot, and the old Opera House, before it made its way to Northville Downs, which unofficially opened as our Farmers’ Market location in 1990.
The Farmers’ Market Task Force, a citizen advisory group, has been working on both this interim market location and the future permanent home planned for next year. The city, township, and the Chamber of Commerce, along with the Farmers’ Market Task Force all remain committed to having the market make its home in our community. Stay tuned for more details on the new location for the long-term.
Keep that Northville “Farmers’ Market Faith!”
Brian Turnbull
Mayor, city of Northville
