A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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This week we will be launching our seasonal Farmers’ Market OPENING DAY, Thursday, May 4^th. Northville’s Farmers’ Market has consistently been award-winning, dating back to its unofficial inception over a hundred years ago. It is the largest Thursday market in the State and attracts folks from over 46 ZIP Codes. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention this would be a perfect opportunity to grab some flowers for your gardens and for a special person as Mother’s Day approaches.

Before looking at our Farmers' Market activities, let's see what's happening today:
5/4, Farmers’ Market Opening Day (7 Mile/Sheldon, 8:00AM-3:00PM)

5/4, Music at Mill Race Village by the Northville Chorale, (215 Griswold at 7pm). LINK ([link removed])

4/15-5/14, Tipping Point Theatre presents: Steel Magnolias. For Info, call 248 347 0003 or LINK ([link removed])

Northville Tree Champions (NTC) – Email a photo of your favorite (local) blossoming tree (it should be visible from a public location). Tell us how it inspires you and be sure to include the location and species (if known). Send to: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MAY 24^th. Your favorite(s) will be showcased in “The Ville” in June.

State of Community Presentation – A recording of the April 19^th presentations is in the link below (City at the 5-minute mark, Township at 27 minutes and the Schools at 43 minutes). LINK ([link removed])

Now let's transition to Opening Day of the Northville Farmers' Market...
The Farmers’ Market is sponsored and run by the Northville Chamber of Commerce. The first day of its season is always exciting and draws a large crowd coming from all over the State. In fact, my wife usually takes time off to attend Opening Day, and I always have to clarify that it isn’t for the Tigers – it’s for the Northville Farmers’ Market. I will be down to the Market on Thursday to experience its 2023 launch.

Following are Highpoints of related Northville's Farmers' Market activities:
1827 – Northville’s roots have always been as an agricultural community. Our town was originally founded as a center of commerce in the Michigan Territory, with the first mills established here because of access to three flowing tributaries. Later on, that hydraulic power was used during the Industrial Revolution when Northville was second only to Detroit in economics & production in the State. From these early beginnings, many products from our surrounding farmers started to be sold in Northville, setting the stage for a central regional selling location of local produce.

1919 – An article in The Record spoke about Sam Pickard’s Meat & Farmers’ Market housed in the old Opera House on Dunlap and Center Street (where a new structure is being built today). It was mentioned in that article that not only did the market thrive in selling local vegetables from community farmers, but augmented that with selections of poultry, fish, and other livestock through the first half of the 20^th century. Early on, many of the vegetables, fruit, and berries for this market came from the Orchard Heights area where the Eaton Farm occupied most of the land from Rogers to Clement & from Main to 7 Mile.
Additionally, during the early 1900s, fresh cheese from Northville’s famous Cheese Factory was sold alongside many vendors’ products both locally and at Eastern Market in Detroit.

1952 – Shortly after our Opera House was torn down, the Farmers’ Market was hosted in various parking lots in town.

1974 - The Thursday Farmers’ Market led by John Genitti & others offered produce from local farms, including vegetables, fruits, even maple syrup tapped from our plethora of maple trees.

1988 – The Farmers’ Market was located in the MAGS parking lot (today’s Northville Square) every Thursday.

Over the Years the Farmers’ Market has been housed in many locations around town, including Town Square, Main & Hutton, Northville Square, the Marquis Theatre parking lot, and the old Opera House, before it made its way to Northville Downs, which officially (to my knowledge) opened as our Farmers’ Market location in 1990.

Fast Forward to Today...
As a result of the Downs redevelopment project, the city administration and the Northville Chamber of Commerce have been actively seeking a future home for the market. The Farmers’ Market Task Force, a citizen advisory group, has been working on both the interim market location slated for the 2024 season and the future permanent home.

While the precise future location is still to be determined, the City, Township, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Farmers’ Market Task Force all remain committed to the market continuing to have a home in the Community.

In closing, I remind you again to get ready for Mother’s Day by picking up some flowers at the Northville Farmers’ Market on Opening Day (Thursday, May 4th) at 7 Mile & Sheldon from 8AM to 3PM … see you there!

Keep that Northville Farmers’ Market Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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