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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.
Before looking at Northville Holiday parade activities through time, let’s see what’s going on in “The Ville” today! · Lighted Parade 11/22 @ 6:30PM Link · Holiday Greens Sale 11/22 - 24 Link · Holiday Home Tour 11/22-23 (Northville Community Foundation-sponsored) Link · Santa 5K (Run/Walk) 11/23 – Benefits Living & Learning Enrichment Center Link
· Rotary’s Goodfellows Newspaper Drive 11/23 – Proceeds for Civic Concern
· Parmenter’s Northville Historic Cider Mill open till 11/24 (Baseline Rd) – 7 days/week from 10AM till 8PM … Last week for cider & doughnuts! Link
· Northville Historical Society Pies & Treats Sale, 11/26, 2-6PM – Buy a dessert for your gathering or a enjoy a sweet while visiting Mill Race Village!
· Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 11/28, Noon-2PM – Hosted @ Methodist Church (777 8 Mile). Attendees, Volunteers and Donors contact Sue C. at 248.961.5911. · “A Holiday to Remember” event (DDA) 12/7-8, 14-15 – Activities downtown Link · Holiday Fun & Santa Visits at Maybury Farm, 12/7-8, 14-15, 10AM-5PM Link · Northville Chorale Holiday Concert, 12/7, 4PM at the Marquis Theatre Link · Festival of Trees at Mill Race Village – Trees available to Sponsor/Decorate (Link) and admire the lighted lane from 12/7 – 1/1. Link · Michigan Philharmonic Holiday Pops Concert, 12/13, 7:40PM at Marquis Link
INFO FOR CITIZENS …
Projects Around Town
· Ford Field – Phase I: Infrastructure, waterfall - Randolph Drain, Phase II (Spring) Overview vista, fencing, staircase & ADA entrance, play structure, bathrooms.
· Riverwalk – Retention pond at Downs dug & Riverbed constructed (rocks & timbers). Log Cabin positioned, DTE Substation & other sections being prepped.
· Downs Initiative – Streets/Curbs poured in sections and building permits issued.
NEW TASK FORCE MEETINGS
· Cemetery Restoration Task Force - Meeting 11/25/24 –, stop by Oakwood Cemetery and see work done. Contact Dave Marold for info @ [email protected]
· Bicentennial Task Force – Next meeting 1/23/25 – Signage, Markers, Movies, Media, Tours, Banners, Events, other. For info write to [email protected]
AS WE READY FOR OUR HOLIDAY LIGHTED PARADE, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THIS EVENT 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!
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