Concerts, Air Shows, Cherry Desserts, Wine Tasting, and More Highlight Festival Fun in Traverse City July 4-11
By Bill Semion
Cherry red is the color of fun this time of year as Traverse City and environs celebrate the region’s tart cherry crop--largest in the country--with the annual National Cherry Festival, and this year’s 83rd edition promises to be better than ever, with a hint of green thrown in.
Festival events are centered along Grand Traverse Bay downtown in Festival Open Space Park. Here’s a look at just some of the shows and activities taking place over the course of the event, many of which are free.
Cherries Jubilee—In The Air
Big air shows have been a mainstay of recent cherry fests, and this one’s no different.
On July 4th and 5th at approximately 12:30 p.m., gather at the beach of West Grand Traverse Bay to watch several acts. The T-28 Warbird Formation Demonstration Team, the Trojan horseman, perform a stirring patriotic tribune to the armed forces complete with music and narration. These six propeller-driven planes used as trainers for years will thrill the crowds with their aerobatics and smoke. Also taking to the skies is female aerobatic pilot Christine “CC” Gerner in an Extra 300L, and Billy Werth of Grayout Aerosports in a craft aptly named for the festival, a Pitts S2C.
Also making an appearance of a Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Other military craft are expected to also participate in the July4th show over the bay, and the Coast Guard will perform a Search and Rescue demo just yards offshore from the Festival Open Space.
Cherries Jubilee—Parades
When the DTE Energy Cherry Royale Parade steps off at 11:15 a.m. on July 11, going green will be the theme. A new award presented to the most environmentally conscious float, best use of recycled materials, natural building materials and promotion of a “green” message.
Cherries Jubilee—Music
There are eight days to the festival and music will be filling each. Kicking off the fun on Saturday, July 4, will be blues guitarist and vocalist Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
On July 5, the fun’s provided by northern Michigan’s own Twisted Finster, belting out rock ‘n roll standards of the last three decades. Monday, the Northwestern Michigan College Community Band takes the stage in a patriotic pops concert.
Tuesday, July 7, 80s rocker Billy Squier shows up. On Wednesday, July 8, back by popular demand is 1964 The Tribute, plays Beatles favorites. Country star Sammy Kershaw takes the stage on Friday, July 10, and the grand finale on Saturday, July 11, is presented by THINK Floyd USA, a tribute to Pink Floyd, featuring classic material from the band’s beginnings to the present, topped off by the Festival Fireworks Finale.
A $15 V-Pass will get you in to all eight evenings and will get you in for first access to the seating at Bay Side Music Stage. Single night tickets may also be available, but this is a cheap way to guarantee your seat.
Cherries Jubilee--Food
Cherries are everywhere, and in everything, of course, over the run of the show, and this year two official products of the Cherry Festival, Simply Cherries,” combining tart and sheet varieties, into a topping for pancakes, cherry pie, smoothies, or desserts.
The other product, Cherry Sauce, pairs sweet apples with tart cherries to make another topping. They’ll be available both through stores and at the Cherry Farm Market Tent in the Festival.
Foodies also will relish the return of two food festivals mixed with plenty of cherries.
The fourth annual Cherries D’Vine event showcases cherries and grapes blended with the best of local agriculture. Cherry Barbecue creations prepared by apprentice chefs at the Great lakes Culinary Institute will be plated on Sunday, July 5, starting at noon, in time for the Festival Air Show over West Grand Traverse Bay (see below). The $15 cost includes three food tickets, one wine tasting and another wine glass for the first 750 attendees.
Then, line up for the Cherries Grand Buffet at the historic city Opera House downtown. Three seatings on Friday, July 10 will take place, at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. They’re limited to 200 each and will cost $25, so get your tickets early.
Cherries Jubilee—Tours and Contests
The focus on food continues with the focus on cherries, of course. Pie eating enthusiasts are invited to sit down and open wide for pie eating contests sponsored by Sara Lee. Children’s contests take place at F&M Park from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, July 6, 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, and at 1 on Thursday, July 9. Adult contests take place at the Festival Open Space at 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4, Monday, July 6, Wednesday, July 8, and Friday, July 10.
Now, what to do with the leftover pits? A Pit Spit contest, of course. Spitters can demonstrate their skills four times, starting at 6 p.m. on July 4, 6, 7 and 8 at the Festival Open Space, with both novice and expert categories.
Cherries Jubilee-Wine
For the first time, it won’t be just cherry wine being uncorked at the Cherry Festival. A ‘Global Wine Pavilion featuring more than 90 wines from around the world picked by Master Sommelier Ron Edwards of Petoskey, formerly of Tapawingo.
Local, domestic and international wines covering all varieties and prices will be available for testing and tasting from July 9-11. Besides the wine tasting, those paying the nominal $10 entry fee also will get a free pour of the night’s featured wine, plus a crystal wine glass by Stolzle, recognized as Europe’s leading designer of
Stemware.
Cherries Are Green, Too
Of course, lots of trash is generated at an eight-day festival like this one, some 15,000 tons, in fact, so planners have teamed with DTE Energy to recycle compostable materials. And all food court vendors will provide customers with compostable cups and “greenware” instead of plastic. Also focusing on the environment is DTE Energy Green Day, on July 10. It includes a volunteer clean-p of the Boardman River’s banks, starting at 9 a.m. near Union Street.
Other events also highlight this year’s festival. Heritage Day, sponsored by Turtle Creek Casino, celebrates native Americas with a Pow Wow dance and other events. There are foot races sponsored by Meijer including a 5K for walkers. There are cherry orchard tours, art shows, beach volleyball tournaments, midway rides for the kids, barbecuing contests, another fireworks show on July 4th, cycling tours of the Old Mission Peninsula…and on and on.
Come have some fun in the heart of northern Michigan.
When You Go
For more National Cherry Festival information, go to www.cherryfestival.org, or call 231-947-4230.
For general festival and visitor information, visit the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.visittraversecity.com, or by calling 800-TRAVERSE. The CVB also publishes a great informative guide to the city and surrounding area, from campgrounds and beaches, to restaurants and dune rides for the whole family. It’s also free.
For July 9-11 Wine Pavilion tickets, go to cherryfestival.org, or call 231-947-4230, or at the door.
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