A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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As part of our Remembrances Series, this week’s topic will center around Northville’s Holiday Parade, which started officially in 1985 (38 years ago) … but know, Santa was driving his sleigh through town even a decade before that.

Last week, we spoke about our Veterans Day activities, and I had the opportunity to spend time with our Veterans, especially our Seniors from the “Greatest Generation” at various Senior Housing areas in town and at the Community Center gathering on November 9th.

For the first time in 4 years, I was unable to attend the VFW ceremony on Saturday. Happily, two of our City Council members (John Carter and Andrew Krentz) conducted the solemn ceremony at the VFW Post on Northville Road, with assistance from our first responders. Additionally, our Northville Chamber of Commerce honored our local military heroes by displaying images of our vets on over 200 light pole banners around the city. It is a great tribute to our Veterans each November and May.

Before looking into our Holiday Santa Parade activities, let's see what’s going on in “The Ville."
* 11/17 – 6:30 PM, Northville’s Holiday Lighted Parade & Tree Lighting – Santa arrives downtown to assist in our celebrations. Link ([link removed])

* Lighted Parade after-party, featuring Northville’s “Social Bones” band at the Marquis Theater. No cover… come enjoy the evening! Link ([link removed])

* Holiday Greens & Winter Market ([link removed]) (Downtown Northville, 11/18 – 11/19, 9am-4pm and Rotary’s Annual Goodfellows Newspaper Drive on 11/18 which supports Northville Civic Concern.

* City Leaf pickup – North of 8 Mile - week of 11/27; South of 8 Mile - week of 12/4

* Thanksgiving Dinner for all in our community. On Thursday, 11/23 at noon, everyone is invited to enjoy food, fellowship, and football at the First United Methodist Church (777 Eight Mile). Call 248.349.1144 or see link if you are interested in joining or serving. Link ([link removed])

* Mill Race Festival of Trees and Christmas in the Village. Festive lighted trees line the lane during the month of December, leading up to a fun event for the whole family on December 1 and 2. Contact the Northville Historical Society if you are interested in sponsoring and/or decorating a tree or would like to buy tickets. Link ([link removed])

* Tipping Point Theater – Featuring “A Very Northville Christmas” from 11/29-12/23. See link for tickets. Link ([link removed])

* Mayoral Weekly Letters – For those that would like to search for info from previous Northvillians Letters, click the following link. Link ([link removed])

As we ready this Friday for our Holiday Santa Parade, let's review this merry event through the years...
* 1976 – According to The Record, when the nation was celebrating its bicentennial (1976), Northvillians lined our downtown streets as Santa arrived and took up temporary residence at Town Square.

* 1988 – The community’s traditional Santa Parade took place in all its glory, traveling down Main Street 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 live reindeer. All the merchants decorated their shops in holiday finery. The town was ready for the Holidays!

* 1998 – In addition to Santa’s arrival, there were Holiday clowns, carriages, and carolers in the city. The event was live on WDIV-TV.

* 2004 – Northville rolled out the Red Carpet for the Holiday parade…35 new floats participated, along with Arabian horses and much more (so reported The Northville Record).

* 2013 – A record attendance crowd came to view the 47 parade entries on a cold snowy night. A local resident was quoted in The Record as saying, “The parade is a reflection of the spirit of Northville,” and many stated it was their favorite parade yet in the Ville.

* 2019 – My first Holiday Parade as Mayor, 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, and the evening culminated with the annual tree lighting ceremony in Town Square. I can attest the City was abuzz while waiting Santa’s arrival, with local churches providing hot chocolate to keep us warm. I have the great annual honor of presenting Santa with the Keys to the City to make it easier for him to get back to town for Christmas deliveries.

* Yearly, The Mill Race Village adorns their historic grounds in holiday attire giving us a glimpse of Christmases of yesteryear. And this year, like usual Christmas trees are decorated throughout the village.

* The 2022 Holiday Lighted Parade featured a half dozen Ford All-Electric Lightning F150’s, and in their beds they had lit holiday trees (Up to 15 feet) delighting the thousands of folks attending.

This Friday night, we all gather downtown to welcome Santa and light the Christmas tree in Town Square. Come on down and enjoy the festive holiday spirit of the town we love. And then stay for the concert afterward from Northville’s Social Bones playing at the Marquis Theater.

Time to get into the Holiday Spirit! See you downtown Friday night for the festivities.

Keep that Northville Holiday 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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