Walking Big Mac

Posted by Bill on Thursday, June 21, 2007   |   No Comments

Walking across Big Mac, the Mackinac Bridge linking Michigan’s two peninsulas, is sure to qualify as one of Michigan’s most unique travel attractions. Officials planned the first bridge walk as part of the official dedication ceremonies for the bridge in June of 1958. The response was so overwhelmingly positive that the Bridge Authority decided to make it an annual event. It takes place every Labor Day, and it’s always led by Michigan’s governor.

Since the bridge officially opened to traffic on November 1, 1957, 2007 marks the 50^th birthday of Big Mac. The 50^th Anniversary celebration includes a host of events, including a number of narrated slide shows about bridge construction and history, a parade of fifty parade convertibles, folk music, an ironworkers demonstration, first-person stories and Q&A sessions with ironworkers, dedication of an ironworkers statue and memorial and a tentative fly-over of the Michigan Air National Guard. The whole shebang unfolds over the weekend of July 27-28 with the 50^th Annual Bridge Walk kicking off with Governor Granholm’s crossing at 7 a.m. on Monday, September 3.

It wasn’t until 2002 that I finally got the chance to walk Big Mac with my wife and daughters. We had a string going until last year when college move-in day for my youngest daughter fell on Labor Day. I’m certainly up for rekindling our short-lived tradition whenever schedules will permit. It’s great fun and a good way to feel part of a big, positive event during which good humor and pleasantries usually prevail.

You will meet people from all over, and the usual conversation starter is generally, “How many times is this for you?” There is ample pride in having walked the Walk a number of times. In fact, many people have a “uniform” of sorts—usually a vest or light jacket sporting patches from all the years they’ve walked. It’s a huge source of pride and satisfaction. To pass time before the start, the PA announcer usually asks people to call out where they are from. You’ll be amazed at how many states and different countries are represented.

You can get all the nuts-and-bolts info you need about the annual Bridge Walk from the above-linked site or by calling 800/666-0160. Although my two or three crossings hardly qualify me as an expert, I have learned a few things. For what it’s worth, here’s my personal list of suggestions.

Start EARLY. While you can’t walk until 7 a.m., this is a BIG events (tens of thousands), and the crowd forms early.

Don’t eat or drink anything, but you might want to take a small water bottle. There are no restrooms on the bridge.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and people. It’s like a carnival.

Make a beeline for your favorite breakfast spot if you plan to eat out. Few walkers eat before they walk so when the first walkers finish, the restaurants fill up and stay full for hours.

If at all possible, stay over Monday night and drive home Tuesday morning when the traffic is less hazardous. If you have to leave Monday, do so early to avoid the rush.

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