March 29, 2024

Heritage Parade Return Highlights Cherry Festival

July 1, 2016

Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler’s 1931 hit, “I Love a Parade,” wasn’t written with the thousands of National Cherry Festival parade-goers in mind, but the song’s sentiment is as timeless today as the trio of traditional marches through Traverse City’s downtown:

“I don’t know a son of a gun Who wouldn’t be willing to run To see a parade come marching down the line. I love a parade; When I hear a band I just wanna stand And cheer as they come!”

While air shows and concerts draw huge crowds, the parades are still in many ways the centerpiece of the eight-day festival. “The parades are steeped in tradition,” said Susan Wilcox Olson, the festival’s media and marketing manager.

RETURNING TRADITION

One of the most traditional of those traditions: the Tuesday night Heritage Parade.

It was discontinued several years ago, due to what Cherry Festival Executive Director Trevor Tkach said was a lack of resources, both financial and human. This past year, Tkach and Cherry Festival officials took a survey and conducted a “listening tour,” town hall-style events intended to get the public’s opinion about how the festival could be improved. The No. 1 response: Bring back the Heritage Parade.

After looking into the possibility, Tkach and crew happily reinstated the beloved event. “Financially, we knew we would need sponsor support. Consumers Energy stepped up, and Hagerty insurance joined in too. I anticipate the Heritage Parade will be around for a while,” Tkach said.

Jeff Needham, the festival’s director of parades, said he welcomes the return of the Heritage Parade, though he acknowledges the challenge. “Human resources is always a struggle,” he said.

LOGISTICS AND COORDINATION

With each parade just two days apart, coordinating all the facets can be problematic.

Needham and his crew, including five assistant directors and countless volunteers, are there to make sure everything runs smoothly. “I say it’s like we’re doing three weddings, and there’s no rehearsal,” said Needham with a laugh.

Those challenges can come in the form of entries that don’t show up, or that don’t match their original description. For example, maybe the form said the entry had a 25-foot float, “ … then they bring in an 18-wheeler that needs 75 feet,” he said.

Of course, that would never happen. Nor would any of the floats ever be in, uh … questionable taste — at least, not since David and John Robert Williams retired their infamous entries.

Williams said he would stand on the curb next to where their entry was scheduled to set up and tell the officials they needed more room — much more room, as they typically had a float and any number of accompanying individuals. Their last float, A Half Mile of the River Nile, was very nearly that long.

“The Webber Precision Grill Team from Webberville, the Makita Drill Team, London Fog — they never knew who we were,” said John Robert Williams.

“I’m glad they brought the Heritage Parade back. That’s how we got in it,” Williams recalled. They entered their old Edsel in the Heritage Parade and the next year got a card in the mail asking which parade they wanted to be in. “David and I looked at each other and said, ‘Oh boy.’ We were in. It was that simple.”

It’s now been 15 years since the Half Mile of the River Nile, their last entry, in 2001. Williams said the projects were always very costly and took them a lot of time to create. “Do I miss it? Missing 22 summers — I don’t miss it at all,” he said.

“We filed under an assumed name. The Cherry Festival hated us,” Williams said. “It was always in questionable taste. We always pushed the limits.”

Needham remembers things a little differently. He said he would welcome a return of the Williams brothers and their screwy, punny parade entries. “I went to John a few years ago to ask if he’d reconsider if I could get a sponsor,” said Needham. Thus far, the Williams brothers have resisted Needham’s entreaties.

WATCHING AND WAITING

Wandering the length of Front and Union streets gives viewers plenty of options for parade-watching. Needham said upperlevel viewing, such as from rooftops or places like the second floor of The Franklin restaurant on the corner of Front and Cass streets, is ideal. He also said many homes on Union Street typically host viewing parties.

Parade staff start their preparations at 5:30am each day. For the Tuesday and Thursday parades, that gives them 13+ hours to ready the route, but with Saturday’s parade kicking off at 11:15am, they’ve got less than six hours of prep time.

So why do it? “I love giving back and being part of the festival,” said Needham. “It’s a large, complex puzzle, and I like puzzles.”

THE PARADE SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:

Consumers Energy Heritage Parade presented by Hagerty

Tuesday, July 5, 7pm

Honoring the history of our community and the cherry industry, this parade is a tribute to northern Michigan. Parade duration is approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Touchstone Energy Junior Royale Parade

Thursday, July 7, 6:30pm

One of the largest children’s parades in Michigan, the Junior Royale Parade is highlighted with kid-friendly floats, junior royalty, clowns, marching units and more. Duration is approximately one hour and 45 minutes

DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade

Saturday, July 9, 11:15am

The granddaddy of the festival parades! Floats, festival royalty, and numerous marching units make up this three-hour parade.

Trending

Mysterious Michigan Reads

We can’t think of a better way to spend spring break than with a great book. Northern Express asked local bookseller... Read More >>

Heirloom Recipes With Heritage, History, and Nostalgia

Before we begin to stash our coats and put winter behind us, let us remember what years past have taught us…fake sp... Read More >>

A Floral Family Affair

In the quaint downtown of Elk Rapids sits Golden Hill Farms, a shop where the artistry of floristry meets the rustic charm... Read More >>

A Look at Originalism

O Tempora O Mores! Oh the times, oh the culture. This Latin phrase relates to both the 18th century and our current times.... Read More >>