PAINT CREEK TRAIL HOSTS 14TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY BRIDGE WALK & RUN
Family-Friendly Event to be Held Monday, September 6, 2021
2017 Labor Day Bridge Walk and Run Participants gather for a group photo
Looking for a fun local event on Labor Day this year? The Paint Creek Trailways Commission is offering all community members a chance to participate in a Labor Day Walk and Run right in their own backyard.
The Paint Creek Trailways Commission is organizing the 14th Annual Paint Creek Trail Labor Day Virtual Bridge Walk and Run on Monday, September 6th, 2021, at the Rochester Municipal Park Kiwanis Pavilion. This event is part of the Labor Day Community Walks that are held throughout the state in conjunction with the Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk.
Two options are being offered to participants – a 1 mile family-friendly walk or a 5k roundtrip walk or run on the Paint Creek Trail. Onsite registration begins at 8:00am, and the event starts at 9:00am. It is a free community event, with a suggested donation of $5.00 to support the maintenance of the Moutrie Pollinator Garden on the trail. For more information, including online registration, visit http://paintcreektrail.org/wordpress/events/labor-day-bridge-walk/.
“Each year, the Trailways Commission hosts this annual event to encourage the community to enjoy some physical activity on the trail during Labor Day weekend. If you’re unable to travel up north to participate in the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk, this is a great way to take part in our state’s Labor Day walking tradition much closer to home,” said Trail Manager Melissa Ford. “We are especially excited to hold this year’s event after hosting a virtual event last year due to COVID and cancelling 2019’s walk and run due to construction projects on the trail,” continued Ford. “We look forward to again seeing the many community members who have made this event an annual tradition for their families.”
The event is free and open to all ages and abilities. This year’s walk and run will have a special focus on pollinators in honor of the new pollinator garden on the trail. The Rochester Pollinators will be on hand to share information on the important role that pollinators play in our ecosystem and the Trailways Commission will be giving away native seed packets so that participants can plant their own pollinator garden at home. A butterfly craft will also be available for children to create and take home. Donuts, coffee, water, and other snacks will be provided and the Friends of the Paint Creek Trail will have trail merchandise for sale. A drawing for the chance to win several different gift cards is also planned.
“We found our trail users have been happy and grateful to participate and reunite with friends and the community this summer, especially when the activity is outdoors,” said Donni Steele, Chairperson of the Paint Creek Trailways Commission. “We are thankful to be able to offer this event again this year – we hope you can join us!”
Approximately 350 participants are expected to attend this year’s event. Supporting sponsors include Back to the Beach Runners, Friends of the Paint Creek Trail, Spalding DeDecker, and Trent Creative. Contributing sponsors for the event include Emily and Sarah Blust, Eva and Louis Carrio, Cookies & Cream (Sprout Bake), David Walker for City Council, Friends of Donni Steele, KLM Bikes, Theresa Mungioli, Oat Soda, Premier Pet Supply in Rochester Hills, Tim Horton’s on Rochester Road, and Trader Joe’s. Many thanks to our sponsors whose generous support allows the Trailways Commission to host the Labor Day Bridge Walk and Run as a free event for the community!