The Mackinac Bridge Walk has taken place each Labor Day since 1958.
However, Leelanau has three of its own “bridge walks,” with some approaching 30 years this weekend.
The Lake Leelanau Community Association (LLCA) will host its annual Bridge Walk and Duck Derby Monday. The walk starts at 9 a.m. at Pedaling Beans parking lot, crosses the bridge and end at Boathouse Winery parking lot. The Duck Derby follows at 10 a.m. with ducks available for purchase at Boathouse, and decks being launched in the narrows.
“The Lake Leelanau Bridge Walk and the Narrows Duck Derby are wonderful, family-friendly events that happen together on Labor Day,” said Mary Lingaur, LLCA board president.
“All proceeds support the LLCA, a non-profit dedicated to bringing the community together, helping our neighbors and beautifying the town of Lake Leelanau.”
The 25th annual walk across the mighty Leland Bridge in honor of Labor Day will take place on Monday at noon. Once again, as they have done for 25 years, Leland residents, family and friends will gather at 11:30 a.m. in the parking lot behind the Blue Bird in preparation for the historic walk.
Labor Day is an annual celebration dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
Post 7731, VFW Honor Guard will lead the crowd when the air horn sounds. Lisa Brookfield, Leland’s Township Clerk, and Kama Ross, County Commissioner for Leland Township, will be providing bridge walkers with certificates of achievement when they reach the far side of the bridge to commemorate the occasion.
The Certificates of Achievement were created by the Leelanau Historical Society and contains an illuminating History of Labor Day on the back.
Participants who complete the trek across the bridge will be offered cookies and lemonade supplied by the Leland Mercantile to rejuvenate their energy following the crossing.
The Labor Day Walk is brought to you by the Leland Committee for Holiday Excitement.
The fun isn’t relegated to Leland and Lake Leelanau. The Empire Area Community Center will host the 29th annual Bridge Walk over the Glen Lake Narrows.
As always, the walk will begin on the Glen Arbor side of the Carl Oleson Jr. AKA the narrows bridge. The start of the Bridge Walk will begin at noon with a flyover by Bruce Jacobs.
T-shirts and certificates of completion will be available at the end.
Don’t want to walk the bridge? There are plenty of other activities to keep busy this weekend.
• Music lovers have two more chances to enjoy free concerts on the Old Art Building lawn as the 4th annual Music in the Air summer concert series wraps up this weekend.
Jazz North comprises area professional musicians that play classic swing, Latin, funk, blues, ballads, originals, and danceable jazz. They take the OAB stage tonight at 7 .
K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, who brings the roots sound of southwest Louisiana’s Creole, Cajun, and Zydeco scene will perform at 4 p.m. Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic dinner.
• Braman Bolt, 11 a.m. Saturday. The Bolt 5 is a onemile footrace through Northport. Begins at the marina.
• Quilters of Lake Leelanau St. Mary will host their annual Quilt Show & Raffle, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the tent at the school.
• Lake Leelanau St. Mary Car Raffle. Drawing for winners after 11 a.m. Mass.
• Harvest Days, Sept. 1-30, Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail. Complimentary free tastings.
• Star Party at the Dune Climb, 9 to 11 p.m., Saturday. Park pass required.
• Horse and wagon rides, Port Oneida Rural Historic District, today, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
