Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk
Set For September 5, 2011
All ages can participate in the Mackinac Bridge Walk on September 5, 2011 - even children in baby strollers and handicapped persons can join in the fun. This Michigan Labor Day event is free. There is a $5.00 fee to use the shuttle buses to get to the Mackinac Bridge starting point in St. Ignace. There can be over 65,000 people walking the bridge so plan on getting to the starting point early. The walk begins at 7:00 a.m. with Michigan's Governor, Rick Snyder, leading the way! There can be no running during this event! After 11:00 a.m. no new participants can begin the bridge walk.
Photo Courtesy of Mackinac Bridge Authority
The Walk's History...
In 1958 during the dedication of the opening of the
Mackinac Bridge
a small group of 68 people walked across the bridge. When in 1964, the date was changed to Labor Day weekend the popularity of the event grew in numbers. In 1992 President George H. W. Bush led the bridge walk as a election campaign event the numbers of participants was around 85,000 walkers, which is a record so far. The walk begins on the
St. Ignace
side of the bridge with the two east lanes being for the walkers. Around 9:30 a.m. the Mackinac Bridge Authority narrows the lanes down to one to allow the extremely large amount of Labor Day traffic to move across the bridge. The walk ends in
Mackinaw City.
It's best to get your St. Ignace or
Mackinaw City hotel reservations early!
To read more information about
the Mackinac Bridge Walk event click here.
Eighth Annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run
Limited To 400 Participants
This race is limited to only 400 racers and is sponsored by the Michigan Governor's office, the Michigan Fitness Foundation, and the Mackinac Bridge Authority. There are criteria racers must meet to submit the application to be entered into the Lottery Drawing. To read more details
about this wonderful Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Run click here.
Insider Tip: The weather can be quite chilly this early in the morning so wear layers of clothing. Don't forget your camera!
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