The Experience Sturgis- The Electric City Festival project began with filling a need right in our own hometown. It was to lend a helping hand of support to the local merchants who were struggling from the long months of road construction. However, it became very apparent, very quickly, that this endeavor could become so much more. It was then that a mission statement was created. The stated goal was to educate, build community pride and spirit, and to honor those who came before and celebrate those who make their home and livelihood here now. To do this, help was needed.
It has always been to the credit of Sturgis that, when a need arises, the community responds. Even in the first year of establishing a board to accomplish this new set of goals, many community leaders came to the table to make this a success. In 2009, this partnership continued to grow. The participants include a representative from the City of Sturgis, Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, Sturgis Historical Society, The Sturgis Journal, Sturgis Public Schools, the Arts, the Merchants, the Churches, the Hispanic Council, and three members at large. With the 2011 Dam Celebration just two short years away, this committee now has a solid foundation in which to continue building community spirit and sharing the story of the early beginnings and successes of our hometown, Sturgis, Michigan!
This year long project has many facets. Each month a full page article is published in the Sturgis Journal, sharing the history of one building. From the article, we learn who occupied that same space so many years ago and then who does business in that exact location today. It is amazing to journey through our town via these articles! On festival day, a history walk is offered so everyone can visit the special featured business and share in the “experience” they have chosen. But that isn’t all, we have many “experiences’ offered by various organizations, entertainment, food and lots of fun! It brings our “Sturgis family” together to celebrate, and gives an opportunity for everyone to shine… doing what they do best!
Experience Sturgis, The Electric City Festival and History Walk, reminds us to celebrate how much we have to be proud of and that just a few can make a difference! It was close to a miracle that our little downtown, in 1911, had electricity. Most of the cities in Michigan did not, and especially not small ones like ours. The hydroelectric dam on the St. Joseph River, north of Centreville, was a vision of a few that served many. It worked - and that is why we are called “The Electric City!”
It has always been to the credit of Sturgis that, when a need arises, the community responds. Even in the first year of establishing a board to accomplish this new set of goals, many community leaders came to the table to make this a success. In 2009, this partnership continued to grow. The participants include a representative from the City of Sturgis, Sturgis Chamber of Commerce, Sturgis Downtown Development Authority, Sturgis Historical Society, The Sturgis Journal, Sturgis Public Schools, the Arts, the Merchants, the Churches, the Hispanic Council, and three members at large. With the 2011 Dam Celebration just two short years away, this committee now has a solid foundation in which to continue building community spirit and sharing the story of the early beginnings and successes of our hometown, Sturgis, Michigan!
This year long project has many facets. Each month a full page article is published in the Sturgis Journal, sharing the history of one building. From the article, we learn who occupied that same space so many years ago and then who does business in that exact location today. It is amazing to journey through our town via these articles! On festival day, a history walk is offered so everyone can visit the special featured business and share in the “experience” they have chosen. But that isn’t all, we have many “experiences’ offered by various organizations, entertainment, food and lots of fun! It brings our “Sturgis family” together to celebrate, and gives an opportunity for everyone to shine… doing what they do best!
Experience Sturgis, The Electric City Festival and History Walk, reminds us to celebrate how much we have to be proud of and that just a few can make a difference! It was close to a miracle that our little downtown, in 1911, had electricity. Most of the cities in Michigan did not, and especially not small ones like ours. The hydroelectric dam on the St. Joseph River, north of Centreville, was a vision of a few that served many. It worked - and that is why we are called “The Electric City!”
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