NORTHVILLIANS,

This coming week is a special one, when we will celebrate our VICTORIAN Heritage Festival in town. As we approach our Bicentennial in 2027, it is up to us to look back at our rich history and learn all we can from it. By 2027, our Victorian “Gateways to the Community” may be even more vibrant, with potentially new, thoughtful development along our recaptured riverbanks that will include a connected pathway system.

We are on an exciting trajectory, with our downtown becoming a true Victorian destination for recreation, commerce, and placemaking gatherings. And, by the way, let’s pause and give homage to Queen Elizabeth with her passing this past week after her reign of more than 70 years (1952 - 2022).  Our Victorian era is named after her great grandmother’s time on the throne.

As we ready for the Victorian Heritage Festival, let’s first look at what’s going on in our city today:

Events/Info

• TONIGHT - Northville: The Bicentennial City History Lecture by the Mayor at the Northville District Library, 9/13, 7 PM - LINK

• Northville’s Parmenter’s Cider Mill, since 1873 – Open for the season, a true sign of the advent of Fall. Also on its campus, check out Northville Winery & Brewing Co. (630 Baseline Rd) since 1982 with nightly live music.
   
• Concerts every Friday & Saturday at 7:00 PM through October – Downtown
   
• Farmers Market – Northville’s Award-Winning Market, Thursdays (7 Mile/Sheldon)
   
• The Victorian Heritage Festival – 9/16 to 9/18, Friday Parade, Victorian Saloon, Festivities, games, and bands. See link for additional info – LINK
   
• 33^rd Annual Northville Duck Race at Mill Race Village – 9/18, 3:00 PM. Also 50^th Anniversary party with entertainment from the Shawn Riley Band – LINK

• Annual Old Timers History Lunch gathering, 9/20, Genitti’s – (108 E. Main), 11:00 AM gathering, 11:30 lunch, then NOON History presentation & Senior of the Year announcement. All in the community are invited. – LINK
   
• History Lecture at the Community Center by the Mayor – 10/13, 6 PM – LINK
   
• Mayoral Townhall coming this month (Live/and Zoom) – will include school board candidate introductions and an intro with the new Superintendent.
  • Town Hall Zoom Link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87590143522 
    (Meeting ID 875 9014 3522)
     
• Northville CROP Hunger Walk, 10/2, 1:00 PM starting at Presby Church (200 E. Main St.) See LINK for additional info – LINK

This week the Victorian Heritage Festival teams up with our Schools touching on our heritage...let's take a look at some historic Victorian days in town.

• The Victorian era is generally accepted as the historical period encompassing Queen Victoria’s reign in Britain (1837-1901). During this same time period, Northville transitioned from being a milling town to an industrial power in the State. Northville has more Victorian era structures on the National Register than most Michigan communities. It’s part of our DNA, and we celebrate this through our Victorian Heritage Festival days.
   
• The event will crescendo by 2027 as we near the landmark of our Bicentennial.

• In 1927, Northville had its Centennial Parade, the largest parade in our state’s history up to that time, which celebrated our Victorian roots. Henry Ford (honorary citizen) assisted.
   
• Through the years, the Victorian Festival has had house tours, performing acts, historic tours and other learning experiences for our youth at our living history area called the Mill Race Village.
   
• Victorian Weddings have been commonplace at the Mill Race during the Festival (I’ve officiated many there, complete with Tails & Top Hat).
   
• Old-time Eclipse base ball games with authentic uniforms have taken place at Ford Field, along with Victorian-style Cricket games.

• Additionally, parades, home tours & Victorian costume balls have been part of the activities. Also, duck races & Victorian hat contests have taken place in past years along with bagpipers piping.
   
• The Victorian Saloon (Beer Tent with entertainment) behind City Hall has been a popular highlight for many years.