National Cherry Festival

I only give it a 3 star because of the fireworks and air show. It’s a train wreck with people. Good watching but hold on tight

I remember the Cherry fest when I was a kid and in my 20’s. They had parades and fireworks. I took my kids this last year and was slightly disappointed that they no longer had the parades they used to. I missed the events that would attract my younger kids. But all in all it is still neat to see that this festival is still going. Just a shame on how much it has changed.

We have been to this event probably four times in the past 10+ years. It’s a great event except they need to consider moving it a couple of weeks back to when the local cherries are actually ripe.
The worst kept secret in northern lower peninsula Michigan is that the cherries sold and used in the cherry products at the National Cherry Festival are all from Washington state or southern Michigan. WTF? Having a cherry festival in Michigan and using cherries imported from Washington state is like Mitt Romney’s «Believe in America» campaign buttons made in China.
They want to keep it around July 4 for attendance reasons but I think people will still go two weeks later when there are actually local cherries around to be picked and eaten. And the local cherries, picked fresh, are incredibly awesome.
Move it back. It’s the right thing to do.

Great food and music… Great weather too! There is something for everyone. The music is top notch! Foreigner, Styx, Rusted Root and much more. The carnival and food was actually nicely priced and the beer tent was FUN! And, of course, the view of the lake and the small town atmosphere really put the icing on the cake!

I drove around for an hour and couldn’t find a single spot to park. A little disappointing since I dove four hours to get there and the kids were really looking forward to it. I would recommend just staying in a hotel nearby and walking.

Nice location right on the waterfront. We were there when the Blue Angels were practicing for the next day so that was cool

Every summer when I worked at Windows Restaurant, the staff always sang «It’s the end of the Cherry Fest as we know it!» on the last Saturday of the week long celebration of cherries, carnival rides, traffic, tourists, beer tent drinking, overbooked reservations, and angry/​happy/​drunk customers.
At least we were along the beaten path that is Michigan Highway 22, but that’s about as far as we would get during the Cherry Festival (unless it was to Mode’s Bum Steer downtown to get an after work drink).
My love of the Cherry Festival was rekindled after I exited the world of the restaurant industry (and college), and went home to Traverse City only to visit. Yes, the traffic can become a little nerve wracking, especially since Cherry Festival begins on or around the 4^th of July, and ends with a firework celebration. 2 firework celebrations in a bay town= hours in your car, slamming your steering wheel. I suggest walking or biking (TC has a very friendly foot downtown). Whatever you do, do NOT drink and drive during the Cherry Festival– or ever, for that matter. Traverse City police love to pull you over for simply driving 5 miles over on a Sunday afternoon.
But what isn’t to love about beer tents, concerts, Elephant ears, cherries, and parades? The crowds can be a little much, it’s hard to beat The Blue Angels yearly appearance while having a beer and snack in one of the many boats docked at West End Beach on Grand Traverse Bay.
Fun tip– boat over to Apache Trout Grill for the Tiki bar!

The cherry festival was great when I was kid, but now that I’m grown I don’t go as often. If you are a fan of cherries you’ll be excited to try them in just about every kind of food imaginable. During the Cherry Festival, Traverse City gets mobbed with people from all over the country and the streets become very crowded. If you need a hotel for the Cherry Festival please book early. If you do not enjoy cherries in everything, crowds, or screaming kids please avoid Traverse City around the 3^rd to the 10^th of July.