30,000 visit the Mackinac Bridge for the 2024 bridge walk

ST. IGNACE, Mich. - A cool, clear start shifted to beautiful sunny skies for the 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk today, which undoubtedly reassured the roughly 30,000 people who made plans to participate today.

"While not the largest crowd we've seen, 30,000 is on the upper end of the range of 21,000-35,000 participants we've had in recent years," said Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Bridge Director Kim Nowack. "It was an absolutely beautiful day, with cloudless skies giving unobstructed views of the Straits of Mackinac."

The bridge, which closed at 6:30 a.m. to all vehicle traffic for the walk, reopened promptly at noon.

Based on the success of the recent events, the 2024 Annual Bridge Walk again started from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminated the need for busing and offers additional options for participants.

The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 walk was the 65th event, when 35,000 people participated. In recent years, crowds ranged from 21,000 to 35,000.

Participants in the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Run at sunrise.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II leads the 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk.

People walk in each direction past the south tower during the 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk.

The American flag on display under the north tower.

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