With blue skies above, hordes of Michigan residents and visitors took the annual trip across a famous landmark over the weekend.
About 26,000 people participated in the 64th-annual Mackinac Bridge Walk on Monday, led by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist.
“It was an honor to represent the state of Michigan,” said Gilchrist. “This Labor Day, I am proud to celebrate the dedicated union laborers who built the Mackinac Bridge and united our two peninsulas. Governor Whitmer and I will continue standing tall for working people in Michigan and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.”
Authorities were pleased with the turnout, with an uptick in attendance over recent years.
“We’re so glad to have had 26,000 people from across Michigan and beyond join us for this beloved event on such a perfect day,” said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “As anyone who has walked the bridge knows, we see so many sunny smiles and happy faces during the walk, and that was certainly what we observed this morning.”
Based on the success of the 2018, 2019, and 2021 events, authorities said the 2022 Annual Bridge Walk again started from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminated the need for busing and offers additional options for participants.
The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Watch a time-lapse video of the walk below:
(Photos courtesy MDOT and Office of the Governor)
