It will be ‘Happy Birthday, Springfield? with a special parade Saturday, May 22 through downtown Davisburg.
The parade is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. from the Springfield Township Civic Center east to the Mill Pond Park along Broadway (Davisburg Road).
Davisburg may be a small settlement, but Diane Wozniak of the Springfield Business Association said it will be a big party.
‘Anybody can be in the parade,? Wozniak said. ‘Anybody who wants to sing Happy Birthday to Springfield.?
The Springfield Township Board approved a road closing permit at their March meeting, and Wozniak believes there will be no problem getting the required permit from the Road Commission For Oakland County. In addition, organizers say the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department has adequate deputies for the event.
While new entrants are welcome to call (248) 882-3180 to register for the parade, Wozniak said there is already a good lineup scheduled, including the Springfield Township Fire Department, a sheriff’s mounted unit, alpacas, a 4-H royalty float and Holly’s Carrie Nation Festival court will all be in the parade, in addition to lots of politicians hoping to meet voters.
Wozniak said the association has also invited school bands to participate, and their is an effort by a local bank to present a briefcase ‘drill team? in the parade.
The event will encourage folks to enjoy ‘a day in the ‘burg? after the parade. The Candle Factory plans to make a ‘huge candle? for the event, and Wozniak said there will be cake as well. Organizers are encouraging folks to save newspapers to make party hats, and service clubs will likely sell food during the event.
A Comcast intern plans to videotape the parade, with Jeff and Sharon Cornice to serve as emcees in the downtown area. Mel Hager, a local 4-H leader who helps coordinate Keego Harbor’s annual parade, will be in charge of the lineup, Wozniak said.
The Davisburg Rotary has renovated a local harness shop, the Kaleidoscope Foundation plans an open house in their building, and the historic Davis house will be open as well.
Springfield Township was founded in 1836, with the official anniversary in March, but Wozniak said, ‘It’s too cold to have a parade in March.? The timing of the parade was deliberate to avoid conflicts with other community events, she said.
The business association believes the parade will help bring much-needed attention to Davisburg, and fits their motivation to do ‘anything to bring people downtown.?
More information will be forthcoming, but Wozniak said the association wanted to mobilize the community for a great celebration.
‘We felt something had to happen,? she said. ‘Our chief goal is to increase communication among residents and businesses.?