62,000 Participate in 2002 Walk
62,000 Participate in 2002 Walk
The Mackinac Bridge Authority announced that an estimated 62,000 walkers participated in this year’s Mackinac Bridge walk. Under cloudy skies and a pleasant breeze, Governor John Engler, his wife Michelle, and their three daughters began the annual Labor Day event just after 7:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2, 2002. This was Governor Engler’s 12th and final bridge walk as Governor of the State of Michigan.
This is the 37th year in a row that the Governor of the State of Michigan has participated in the walk. The late Governor G. Mennen Williams participated in the first walk in 1958. The first walk was held in June of 1958 in connection with the Mackinac Bridge dedication activities. In 1959, the date of the walk was changed to Labor Day and has been held on that day ever since. This year marked the 44th Labor Day walk and the 45th bridge walk. The first walk had about 65 participants.
The Mackinac Bridge Authority would like to express our thanks to those who worked with us to make this a safe and pleasant event for all. We also want to thank the participants for observing the bridge walk rules. We look forward to another great walk next year. See you in 2003!
