NORTHVILLIANS,

Switching gears from previous weeks’ reflections on Memorial Day and Graduation activities, we will now touch on the wedding season (a.k.a. June), which is in full swing in the Ville. This month is when flowers are blooming, and it’s been synonymous with weddings in our Hamlet in the Hills from our start in the 1820’s.

At Mill Race Village, love is in the air with many wedding celebrations already this year. When I first became Mayor in 2019, a citizen asked me at my swearing-in ceremony if I would officiate their wedding. At the time, I didn’t realize that mayorship also included being Justice of the Peace. Since then, I have married 74 couples, with ceremonies mostly at the Mill Race Village but also at various homes, City Hall, Genitti’s and other venues in Northville.

History of Marriage
Many cultures have legends concerning the origins of marriage and the way ceremonies are conducted. The first recorded evidence of marriage rituals dates back to around 2350 B.C. in ancient Mesopotamia and Babylon. Even within our lifetimes, we have witnessed how the ceremonial union of couples has evolved and changed over the years.

The month of June is derived from Juno, the Roman goddess of marriage. It was thought that couples who married in June would be blessed with prosperity & happiness for life.

Before looking back at local Wedding Activities, let's see what's going on today:

• Cars and Coffee - Saturday, 6/14, 8-11 AM (Established in 2019 by Alexander's Custom Clothiers & the Mayor) has a new location: The Farmers’ Market site, Northville Road & 7 Mile (550 7 Mile, 48167) ... Bring a car, yourself, a friend.
• Upcoming Music/Concerts – Chamber/DDA Link, Maybury Link, Marquis Link, Northville Winery Link, NOMI Link
• Support the Ford Field Playground – Northville Rotary is supporting the Ford Field Playscape initiative by pledging $50K along with matching funds for donations via PayPal/Credit Card – Linkor via check mailed to: Northville Rotary Foundation – 143 Cady centre, #109, Northville, MI 48167

INFO FOR CITIZENS...
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN

• Ford Field – Phase I: Check out the new waterfall area at Serenity Point. Phase II (Summer) Vista overlook, fencing, staircase upgrades, ADA entrance – just beginning & a new playscape structure – starting in fall. Phase III (2026) – Bathroom construction.
• Riverwalk – Riverbed continues to progress at the Downs … hundreds of trees have been delivered for the River Park, boulevards & City Park.
• Downs Initiative – Construction progressing (Infrastructure/Townhomes/Apartments)
• Farmers’ Market – New location up and running (550 7 Mile), open Thursdays 8-2pm
• Grants that Support Northville’s Community Initiatives – Link

TASK FORCE MEETINGS

• Bicentennial Task Force – 6/5 @ City Hall 7:30pm. All are welcome to join the team as we ready for our 2027 event – info write[email protected]
• Cemetery Renewal Task Force – 6/9 @ City Hall 7:00pm –Stop by Oakwood Cemetery to see progress. For more info contact Dave Marold ([email protected])

Now let's takea look at Historic Northville Wedding Activities:

Weddings in Northville have been celebrated in very unique & special ways. The Mill Race Village area is a prominent example of a popular, quaint and romantic venue.

1888–Henry Ford spent his honeymoon in Northville, and he & wife Clara would stroll along the Rouge riverbank by Ford Field. Eventually, Mr. Ford built the Albert Kahn-designed valve factory there. Between Mr. Ford & Northvillian Rick Cox (in modern times), the City was deeded the land where the Mill Race Village and Ford Field are positioned today.

1929–A high-flying marriage ceremony took place at 10,000 feet in a Stinson Aircraft produced in Northville (Stinson’s planes are highlighted in the Smithsonian and The Henry Ford Museum). Eddie Stinson, a Northville resident of Orchard Heights, was involved in this ceremony that took place between Toledo &Northville, with our Methodist Minister officiating in the air. The plane was painted with graphics that said, “Just Married.”

1931–During the Great Depression, the marriage of a prominent Northville couple (Gertrude Parmenter & Donald Starr) occurred in front of a packed grandstand at the Wayne County Fair (Northville Downs). The couple won a contest for an elaborate wedding ceremony with music provided by the Fair’s vaudeville orchestra. Northville merchants & businesses donated gifts. It was estimated that 2,500 attended the wedding, followed by a reception in Orchard Heights.

1935– Again, at the annual County Fair, an elaborate wedding took place uniting Herbert Ware and Madeline Lemmon in a carnival atmosphere. The ceremony was preceded by a trapeze act and a vaudeville show.

1999–The bridegroom (Steve Skinner) made a grand entrance when his helicopter touched down at Northville’s Ford Field, just in time for his wedding ceremony at the Mill Race Village.

Enjoy June in the Ville – see the trees in full bloom and the young ducklings, swans, and geese on the Mill Pond. Stroll the grounds of the Mill Race Village, walk through our historic downtown, and partake in the downtown social district. May the Roman Goddess Juno bless you with prosperity and happiness for life.

Keep that Northville June (Juno) Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville