Mackinac Bridge Walk sees largest turnout since 2016

Brendan Wiesner, Sault Ste. Marie News
·2 min read
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ST. IGNACE — Around 35,000 people took part in the 2023 Mackinac Bridge Walk on Monday morning, the largest crowd since 2016 to join in the Labor Day tradition.

"With roughly 35,000 people from across Michigan and beyond joining us for the bridge walk, this is the largest crowd we’ve seen since 2016 when 45,000 people walked the bridge," said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. "It was a beautiful day, and a perfect opportunity to enjoy the unparalleled views of the straits."

An American flag hangs from the northern post of the Mackinac Bridge as pedestrians passed underneath during the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day.
An American flag hangs from the northern post of the Mackinac Bridge as pedestrians passed underneath during the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer led the 65th annual walk across the Mackinac Bridge.

“Another year, another spectacular bridge walk across the Mighty Mac to celebrate Labor Day,” said Whitmer in a statement. “Today, we recognize the work of generations of working people who fought for higher pay, better benefits, and workplace safety and the labor unions who had their back. We celebrate the progress we’ve made to shore up worker’s rights, create tens of thousands of good-paying union jobs, and bring manufacturing back home to Michigan. And we recommit ourselves to delivering for working families, lowering costs, and growing our economy. Let’s keep getting it done. Happy Labor Day, Michigan.”

Chris Cowie (red shirt) showed his enthusiasm for this year's Mackinac Bridge Walk by bringing his own walking stick and lining up early to be one of the first people on the bridge at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.
Chris Cowie (red shirt) showed his enthusiasm for this year's Mackinac Bridge Walk by bringing his own walking stick and lining up early to be one of the first people on the bridge at 6:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023.

The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020 when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 walk marked the 65th anniversary.

Around 35,000 people took part in the 2023 Mackinac Bridge Walk on Monday, Sept. 4. People could begin their walk from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace and cross the bridge.
Around 35,000 people took part in the 2023 Mackinac Bridge Walk on Monday, Sept. 4. People could begin their walk from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace and cross the bridge.

The bridge closed to vehicle traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day while the walk took place. The bridge only opens to foot traffic once a year, for the Labor Day walk, and people from all around Michigan and neighboring states take the opportunity to walk across the 5-mile span.

Some walkers cross the entire bridge, while others walk halfway and then double back to their starting point. On Monday, they enjoyed sunny skies, warm temperatures and scenic views of the Straits of Mackinac during the walk.

A view of the Mackinac Straits as pedestrians cross the Mackinac Bridge on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 during the annual Labor Day bridge walk.
A view of the Mackinac Straits as pedestrians cross the Mackinac Bridge on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 during the annual Labor Day bridge walk.

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— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Mackinac Bridge Walk sees largest turnout since 2016