As Labor Day weekend fades away, the Richmond Area Good Old Days Festival gears up to keep the celebratory spirit alive. Running since 1964, the festival stands as a long-standing tradition, attracting visitors from afar. This family-centric affair leans heavily on the shoulders of volunteers, with some households passing the baton down through generations. "Once you volunteer with the festival, you become part of the family," noted a report from the festival's meeting, per the Macomb County website.
Behind the scenes, organizers and volunteers have been hustling all year to bring the weekend to life. The festival relies on monthly catch-ups and round table discussions, a setting where ideas bounce around, aiming to refine the experience year after year. According to observations made at one of the grand parade meetings, several aspects require meticulous planning—from ensuring safety at the staging area to addressing the cohabitation of parade and classic car show traffic. In an interview, volunteers expressed how these concerns are discussed thoroughly to make sure that the parade traffic and the classic car show traffic work cohesively.
At the heart of the festival is the grand parade, drawing in a crowd of roughly 13,000 people annually. It's a spectacle that owes no small part of its existence to local businesses like Northstar Bank, Extra Credit Union, and Bertossi Bulldozing, whose sponsorships enable an entry-fee-free event. The parade lineup is eventually, carefully curated to make sure there isn’t a dull moment along the route, ensuring that attendees, some of whom camp out the night before to snag the best viewing spots, get their annual fix of floats and candy-stuffed bags.
In addition to the grand parade, the festival weekend promises an array of activities. Kickstarting with the Classic Car Parade, Opening Ceremonies, and the Bump & Run State Championship on Thursday, to the Fireworks Show on Saturday, there's something for everybody. Wrapping up Sunday with a Classic & Antique Car Show and an Invitational Grand Parade—the festival is a patchwork of attractions stitched together by organizers' dedication
