Labor Day Tradition Honors Morenci’s Workforce and Commemorates Loss of Local Business Owner, US
Members of Morenci’s workforce were honored on Labor Day 2023 as part of a longstanding tradition in the small Michigan town. The event not only celebrates the contributions of workers to the local economy but also commemorates the loss of a beloved local business owner. Since 1994, residents and visitors from Ohio and other areas have participated in the tradition of walking across the historic Silver Creek Bridge on Labor Day, mirroring a similar event at Michigan’s famous Mackinac Bridge but on a smaller scale.
The 82-foot-long Silver Creek Bridge, built in 1893, is located on the south side of Morenci along South East Street, making it the southernmost bridge in Michigan with the Michigan-Ohio state line nearly visible. Participants in the Labor Day walk typically take two laps across the bridge, symbolizing a journey to honor the hard work and labor that drives the community’s success.
The bridge walk was preceded by a ceremony acknowledging the local workforce, both past and present. The ceremony allowed people to give brief speeches on any topic of their choice, as long as it was in good taste. The Vice President of the Morenci Area Chamber of Commerce, Jack Still, who is also a small business owner, spoke at the event and dedicated his participation to his recently deceased brother. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the contributions of employees who are like family.
Several local officials and event organizers also addressed the crowd during the ceremony. Mayoral candidates Jeffrey Lampson and Tracy Schell spoke about their visions for the town’s future if elected. Lampson focused on revitalizing downtown, maintaining infrastructure, upgrading parks, and ensuring emergency services for the citizens of Morenci. Schell emphasized the importance of open communication and promised to listen to the concerns of all community members.
Longtime participants in the Silver Creek Bridge walk, Jim Berryman, former mayor of Adrian, and his daughter, Julie, expressed their appreciation for the event, emphasizing its significance as a family tradition. They have been attending the walk for nearly three decades, and Berryman’s granddaughters have been participating since birth.
The ceremony concluded with speeches from other bridge walk supporters, local officials, and community leaders, highlighting upcoming events for the Morenci community. Overall, the Labor Day tradition in Morenci serves as a reminder of the value of labor and the unity it brings to the town.
