NORTHVILLIANS,
Welcome to the Heritage Festival time of year in Northville!
Traditionally, the City of Northville would host the Heritage Festival this coming week (historically called the Victorian Festival). With COVID-19 still with us, we will have to give homage to our history in a different way this year.
INFO
- I’m hosting the Library’s annual history seminar celebrating our Victorian heritage with a virtual seminar and Q & A session on Wednesday, September 16 at 7pm. Zoom meeting details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86243110473?pwd=RmhreEJYUkorYXVMeWllaUgyZFJ5Zz09
- Meeting ID: 862 4311 0473
- Password: 462504
- Also looking back at our history, the Library & Mill Race Village are again hosting a Historic Cemetery Tour on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 2pm. This time it’s virtual. Zoom meeting details: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88699635052?pwd=QURhbEs4SmFwMUx1VElPclphZW5xQT09
- Meeting ID: 886 9963 5052
- Passcode: 065485
- The City Council approved the DDA recommendation to extend the Social District in downtown Northville past the initial November 1st end date (until March), but committed to being flexible in evaluating this going forward as to the overall benefits for our citizens, retailers & restaurants.
- Safety First – When enjoying our Downtown eateries, shops, music & the social district ambiance, remember to Mask-up/Wash up & Stay Socially Distanced for your safety and that of all others you come in contact with. We must continue to keep our guard up.
- Pfizer & BioNTech announced data from pre-clinical studies of their COVID-19 vaccine. The tests were conclusive & effective on non-human primates. Both have proceeded to the next phase.
- COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES: Northville has had 56 cases/7 fatalities, Township 334/26, Michigan 125K/7.0K, Nation 6.5M/194K. Global 30M/935K.
- In the East Lansing community, 324 more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed since classes began. Self-quarantining is being recommended for 14 days for those @ MSU in Lansing.
- The “Local Historic Survey Study” (including boundaries) was recently reviewed by City Council, and they have asked the Historic District Commission (HDC) to give their final opinion before it comes back for two additional readings.
- HS FOOTBALL IS WITH US – Last week it was announced that High school football will have a shortened 6-game season (with proper protocols & procedures). Now, the Big 10 is evaluating a possible shortened season from October to January with COVID-related precautions in place.
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Heritage Festival Week
- Northville has more Victorian-era structures still on the National Register than almost any other Michigan Community. It’s part of our heritage & DNA of the community, and we celebrate this through our Heritage Festival days.
- The Festival will crescendo as we near our Bicentennial as a community in 2027. The future of this annual event could grow into many activities – Historic walks, autonomous shuttle tours, Model T tours along with horse and buggy rides, Historic River walk tours, & village workshops activities. Lots of action to attract thousands of visitors, if we work hard and make it happen.
- Notably, our Centennial celebration in 1927 included the largest parade up to that time in all of Michigan.
- The Victorian era is generally accepted as the period of British history encompassing Queen Victoria’s reign 1837-1901.
Northville Victorian Festival Highlights of the Past
1989 – The 1st year featured an escape from Houdini’s straight jacket at the Town Square Bandshell, a Victorian Wedding at the Mill Race, a parade, Historic District Tours and a Heritage Costume Ball.
1990 – A tornado ripped through Novi, The Great Wallendas performed a high wire act, third graders took historic tours by trolley car and the curriculum was established for local history education at the Mill Race, Dr. Rudy Randolph’s medicine wagon arrived, and the parade marched on.
1991 – The third year attracted almost 10,000 visitors. We saw the first Mill Race Duck Race, a Victorian Hat Contest, and $11K was raised for local charities.
1992 – Michelle Kelly won the Queen Victoria Contest, Pete the Monkey gave kisses, there was a Pie-eating contest and free carriage rides augmented the parade.
1995 – The Northville-Novi Branch of the AAUW debuted the Historic Home Tour.
1998 – Attendance builds to 40,000 (and increases to 80,000 in 2000).
2001 (Post 9/11) – The Festival begins with a moment of silence, the Parade included bagpipers, patriotic music and Ford Field was rededicated.
2002 – Mill Race hosted a Victorian-style game of Cricket.
2003 – The Community Center was dedicated as a Senior Center, and the Eclipse Baseball team played at Ford Field in replica uniforms with Victorian rules.
2005 – A Victorian Saloon opened on the upper level of the Cady Street deck.
2013 – Activities highlighted the Gold Rush theme and we dined at a Food Truck Rally and Beer Garden.
2014 – The Festival took on a Lumbering Era theme and the Tour De Ville bike event launched.
2016 – The name was changed from Victorian to “Heritage Festival.”
Thank you for taking time to learn a little bit about Northville's past. I believe knowing our past is crucial to planning our future together. I fully encourage you to learn more about our community's rich history, either at the Mill Race Village or at the Library, and take time to appreciate its Victorian heritage as you stroll through the historic neighborhoods and downtown.
I thank you for your kindness, compassion & love for your community through this Pandemic period.
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Keep that Northville faith & stay #NORTHVILLESTRONG!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
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