Behind the Scenes: Richmond Area Good Old Days Festival

The Richmond Area Good Old Days Festival is taking place this weekend, offering a wide variety of vendors and activities for all ages. So much goes on behind the scenes in preparation for the big event -- it's truly a family affair! And since it takes place after Labor Day every year, the festival continues to be a great way to end the summer.

Originating in 1964, this festival is a tradition that people from all over look forward to. Local businesses, families and volunteers are a vital part of the event, with some families having volunteered for generations. Great grandparents all the way down to their great grandchildren come together to make sure the festival continues to succeed. It wouldn't be what it is today without the never-ending support from the volunteers. Once you volunteer with the festival, you become part of the family.

Creating a tradition as lasting as this festival requires lots of collaboration. Monthly meetings take place throughout the year and event chairpersons attend to give an update on where they are at in their preparation. I was able to attend one of the meetings myself, and the whole thing is a bit of a round table. Ideas are constantly volleyed back and forth in a safe and fun environment. The committee always works to make the event better.

While sitting in on a grand parade meeting, I was able to hear all of the different routes and issues that have to be sorted out. Options were passed around about how to make the staging area safer and still be able to offer parking for the parade viewers. This in particular is discussed thoroughly to make sure that the parade traffic and the classic car show traffic work cohesively.

The grand parade is fully sponsored by local businesses, which allows there to be no entry fee. This then is what helps bring in so many entries. The line-up is eventually, carefully curated to make sure there isn't a dull moment along the route. The grand parade is a staple of the weekend with families lining the streets with chairs the night before. It brings in around 13,000 people each year, who are looking forward to seeing their favorite floats and getting bags full of candy.

The local businesses don't only sponsor the grand parade, but the festival as a whole. Some of the top sponsors this year are Northstar Bank, Extra Credit Union, and Bertossi Bulldozing. The businesses want to be involved and support the festival and that is part of the reason it's such a massive success.

Now that the festival is finally here, all of this behind-the-scenes work can come together to create another memorable weekend. There are many events that occur all weekend long, but here are some of the highlights:

Thursday (9/4):

• Festival Beverage Tent (all weekend)

• Classic Car Parade and Cruise

• Opening Ceremonies

• Little Miss Richmond Contest

• Bump & Run State Championship

• Vendors (all weekend)

Friday (9/5):

• Skerbeck Family Carnival (all weekend)

• The Outrageous Outhouse Races

• Figure "8" Derby

Saturday (9/6):

• Children's Main Street Parade-Ping Pong Ball Blowout

• Dunk Tank

• Children's Games

• Fire Department Water Ball Contest

• USA Demolition Derby State Championship

• Fireworks Show

Sunday (9/7):

• Classic & Antique Car Show

• Multi High School Band Drumline Performance

• Invitational Grand Parade

To find a more detailed schedule for festival weekend, click here.

So much love and care is put into the festival. A year full of planning and preparation comes together for one fantastic, fun-filled weekend that you don't want to miss. Be sure to head to Richmond, September 4th- 7th for the Richmond Area Good Old Days Festival!

Ella Hill is an intern at Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.