By Genine Hopkins
McBain Heritage Days took place this past Friday and Saturday, July 19th and 20th, under sunny skies and perfect summer days. While the event has had a few hiccups in the past couple of years, from being rained on to not having enough volunteers, this year’s event was strong and saw so many wonderful events that included a fundraiser for the High School with a car wash. The McBain Heritage Days Facebook page shows they are already gearing up for a strong year in 2025, hitting the ground running!
McBain’s history stretches back to 1887, when it began as a small village of predominantly Dutch immigrants, centered around a sawmill in what was then Riverside Township and founded by brothers John and Gillis McBain in 1887. By 1888 McBain had become a railroad stop on the North Michigan Railway – called Owens – and in 1889 the area was renamed McBain after the brothers. In 1893, McBain was incorporated as a village, and just a bit later McBain became a city in 1907; McBain was one of the first smaller villages to become incorporated as a city in Michigan. Quite an impressive history indeed.
Mary Silvernail, who, while no longer living in McBain, turned out to watch her grandchildren, including her granddaughter, who made a valiant attempt to catch a pig but failed. Silvernail said she always loves feeling the community of McBain with her family, making her miss the days she was here.
Silvernail’s son, Nicholas Cates, remembers his time at the McBain Heritage Days, where he took away a prize for him and his canine in the dog parade, back in the early aughts. It does seem like the history of Mary’s family is engrained in McBain.
In addition to the greasted pig contest, there was a kids’ bicycle parade, fire truck rides, candy bar bingo, an evening Grand Parade at 5 p.m., and live music from Cavanaugh Junction.
