The city of Bridgman is gearing up for its 75th birthday celebration.
Bridgman began as a village mapped out by George Bridgman, who was in the lumber business, in 1870. It became a city in 1949.
Greater Bridgman Area Chamber and Growth Alliance Director Nancy Kiernan tells us preparations for the anniversary celebration have been underway for months. It’s set for July 13 with activities throughout the downtown all day.
Things kick off at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K run and walk, there will be Children’s Games in the Courtyard with the Bridgman Public Library in mid-morning, and then the parade will be held.
“There will be a parade beginning at 11 o’clock through the downtown and we will have just various vendors throughout the downtown, bringing different things online to keep the party going,” Kiernan said.
Kiernan says other activities will include hotdogs and kids’ fun at Immanuel Lutheran Church, a car show at the Haymarket Taproom, a pop-up market at Transient Artisan Ales, facepainting, a beer garden, and food trucks.
Bridgman Mayor Jan Trapani says the community used to hold a celebration each year, but it got sidelined with COVID. She’s glad something new is getting started.
“I’m just so happy that we were able to bring a celebration back to Bridgman,” Trapani said. “Hopefully, it’ll grow and we’ll have other things involved. But the 75th year of our city is important and we’re really trying to showcase and celebrate that.”
Trapani says maybe the birthday celebration can become a regular event.
The day will wrap up with Music in the Courtyard featuring The Spaniels Forever from 5 to 7 and a movie screening in the Courtyard. They don’t know what movie yet.
You can see the full schedule for the day below.
Bridgman’s 75th birthday celebration schedule:
8:30 am: Bridgman 5K/10K & 1.1 Mile Fun Run
10:30 am – 1:00 pm: Children’s Games in the Courtyard with the Bridgman Public Library
11:00 am: Parade through Downtown
11:00 am: Lemonade Stand in the Courtyard with the Greater Bridgman CGA
11:00 am: Quatresonics Barber Shop Quartet singing throughout Downtown
12:00 – 2:00 pm: Free hot dogs and Kids Activities at Immanuel Lutheran Church
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Swiggles & Smaxy Balloon Creations in the Courtyard
11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Face Painting in the Courtyard with Country Stitches
11:00 am – 3:00 pm: Autos & Ales Car Show at Haymarket Taproom
11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Pop-up Market at Transient Artisan Ales
11:30 am – 4:00 pm: Beer Garden & Boutique Lemonade at the American Legion Post 331
3:00 – 7:00 pm: Don Chepe Food Truck at the Pop-up Market
5:00 – 7:00 pm: Music in the Courtyard featuring The Spaniels Forever
