Glen Arbor Bridge Walk
By Sarah Bearup-Neal
Sun Contributor
The first Glen Arbor Labor Day Bridge Walk took place in 1995. It is now a tradition that spans 20 years, so let us recall the reason why this annual walk across the M-22 Narrows Bridge came about.
“Because they had one in Mackinaw, we thought we should, too,” said Glen Arborian Bill Thompson, proprietor of the Dune Dog wagon on M-22 as well as the brains behind the Bridge Walk.
The event is uncomplicated, and attracts tens of participants every year. It works like this: 1.) Walkers show up at the Glen Lake Narrows on M-22. This year’s Bridge Walk is on Labor Day Monday, Sept. 7, at noon. 2.) Walkers walk from the north side of the bridge to the south side. 3.) Walkers high five or whoop or bathe in the silent satisfaction in having completed the 0.3 mile walk.
Just for the sake of comparison, the Mackinaw Bridge Walk, now in its 58th year, attracts tens of thousands of participants — an estimated 40,000 to 65,000 people. It is led by the state’s sitting governor. Walkers hoof five miles from the Upper Peninsula (St. Ignace) south to the Lower Peninsula (Mackinaw City). As regards the difference in the two walks’ mileage, longer is not necessarily better, say the Glen Arbor Bridge Walk authorities. Or superior. Or a qualitative difference.
“We say it loud and proud,” Thompson said of every one of those 0.3 miles.
An additional feature of the Mackinaw Bridge Walk is there’s stuff to buy at the end of it. The Mackinac Bridge Authority offers commemorative medallions, tokens and posters of the Mighty Mac.
On the other hand, or foot, Glen Arbor Bridge walkers can buy a commemorative T-shirt for $15. This year’s model is navy with red lettering and a pair of disembodied walking shoes symbolizing the activity. The T-shirt’s graphics were designed by Robin Zfenix, a master’s candidate with the Apparel Product Design and Merchandising Technology program at Central Michigan University (CMU). She was brought into the project by Maureen S. MacGillivray. She’s a friend of Dottie Thompson, Bill’s wife, and a CMU professor of Apparel Merchandising and Design. MacGillivray will be loudly and proudly walking the Glen Arbor bridge again this year, she said.
Proceeds from all T-shirt sales go to the Glen Lake Cub Scout Troop 111, Bill Thompson said. They can be purchased in advance of the walk at the Dune Dogs wagon or at Roman Jones, 11679 S. Lacore Road in Empire.
