Dig In: Cherry Fest 2021

MUST-DOS TO TAKE YOUR CHERRY FEST EXPERIENCE OVER THE TOP

It's been a long time coming, but the National Cherry Festival 2021 promises to be one of the most interesting in years – combining much-loved classic attractions — like Arnold's Amusements Midway, the Gold Pin Program, and the Cherry Farm Market — and some new activities. Here are 10 events you won't want to miss.

Start Your Engines (Or Watch ’Em Roll)
Get a head-start on the fun at the Old Town Classic Car Cruise on July 2, a day before the official start of the festivities. If you own a classic or just appreciate their workmanship, it's a great chance to see these beauties as they roll along the route. They'll gather at Turtle Creek Casino at 5pm, and the cruise takes off an hour later. The route takes cruisers west on M-72, then north on US-31. In Elk Rapids, they’ll head east on Ames Street to Cairn Highway and on to Cherry Ave. The cars and motorcycles roll on to Crystal Beach Road NW to Aarwood Road, then to Rapid City Road NW. It's a short trip south to M-72 and back westward to the casino. Many of these same classics will be at the Old Town Classic Car Show on July 4 at the Grand Traverse Commons.  

Stroll — or Scroll — the Neighborhood
For the second year in a row, participating downtown homes — porches, yards, windows, and more — will be decked out for the Consumers Energy Very Cherry Porch Parade. The theme: cherries, of course. Don your walking shoes and stroll the residential neighborhood south of State Street starting noon July 3 and running through midnight July 10 (a map is available under the Events/Free Family Fun tabs at cherryfestival.org), or scroll Facebook or Instagram posts with the hashtag #verycherryporchparadecontest. Expect a lot from entrants; they’ll be vying for a first-place prize based on the best use of cherries. All others will be awarded prizes at random. Winners will be announced after July 12.

Jam with the Bands
So the Bay Side Music Stage Concert series won’t be jamming with giant acts and even bigger crowds this summer, but that doesn’t mean this is the year the music died. In fact, every night from 7:30pm to 10pm, a new band or performer will play the National Cherry Festival music stage. The jams start July 3 with The Timebombs — TC’s own four-piece party-pop band that boasts a ukulele player yet somehow specializes in ’90s songs you forgot you loved. Taking the stage July 4 is all-Americana folk-rock trio Stone Folk, and on July 5, the Texas-Eric Church-Reckless Kelly-influenced Drew Hale (who’s shared a stage with the likes of Tim McGraw). July 6, 7, 8, and 9 brings the five-piece outfit Bad Jam, Jack Pine, The Broom Closet Boys, and Protea respectively. Closing out the concerts: multi-platinum guitarist-produced Kenny Olson. 

Shop Till you Drop
A festival favorite, the Arts & Crafts Fair is set for July 4 from 9 am to 5 pm, but this year, it’ll be in a far less crowded location — the vast grounds of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This year, the juried show will feature more than 100 artisans from across the Midwest, easy-to-access shade under the campus’ trees — and lots of dining, drinking, and shopping options around The Village and inside the Mercato.

Get a Shot So You Don’t Drop
For the first time ever, the GT County Health Department will be on hand to give Cherry Festival attendees a real shot in the arm: a one-and-done dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, available 11am to 3:30pm July 6, 7, and 10 and 2pm to 6pm July 8 and 9, all at the Open Space. If you haven’t got yours yet and want one, now’s your no-hassle chance.

Bag It
Not only is there such a thing as Cornhole America, it's sponsoring the officially sanctioned National Cherry Festival Cornhole Tournament planned for this year’s Cherry Fest, in the beer tent. In true Midwest spirit, holding a beer in one hand is allowed — and most Northerners’ ability to do so suggests competition will be fierce at this event, which runs noon to 6pm July 7. Crowds can expect a round-robin format where each team of two plays four games randomly against opponents. A team's record and points difference will determine seeding for a two-tier double-elimination tourney. Cash prizes go to both tiers’ top three teams, and organizers anticipate a prize pot of over $2,000. Cost is $40 per team, and registration is at the gate — only as long as spots are open. Search “National Cherry Festival Cornhole Tournament” on Facebook for more details. 

Behold Prince Harry, the Chihuahua
One of the most popular children's events, the Kids Pet Show, is set for 9 am to noon on July 6. (New this year: Pre-registration is required.) Entries are open for children 3 to 12 years old and their pets, who must be under the control of the youngster. Reserve their spot by registering online for these categories: Most Unusual Pet, Best Dressed Ensemble, Dressed for the Decades: Roaring '20s, Most Creative Cherry-Theme, Most Patriotic Pet and Most Royal Pet. 

Go Quackers
Starting July 7 and running through July 10, the Open Space will host The Great American Duck Race. This free series of events offer family fun and an educational experience as 16 specially selected children (and maybe some adults) release their ducks — yes, real live Mallard ducks — in a specially designed water-filled racetrack for a feather-flying, wing-spinning, webbed-foot splashing good time that is guaranteed to make you giggle and cheer. Waddle on over if you want to see some (not-so) serious duck-powered engines in action. 

Sculpt as a Family
Want guaranteed parking and good seat as your family awaits the Fourth of July Fireworks? Sign up for the free Family Sand Sculpture Contest at Sunset Park Beach, a 6pm July 4 competition to test the beach creativity of families, groups, and teens age 13 and up. Have little artists age 3 to 12? Sign them up for the 9 am July 9 Kids Sand Sculpture event, also at Sunset Park Beach. Both events are free but pre-registration is required and capacity may be limited. There’s also a few rules: Only items found on the beach may be used in the decoration of the sculpture, with the exception of food coloring, and no throwing sand. 

 

Kickstart Your Heart
There are a host of races — 5k, 10k, 15k, and more — associated with this year’s National Cherry Festivals, and you can do most of them in person or virtually. Our faves: the in-person Cherry Kids Fun Run and Half-Marathon. The former is a one-mile fun run around the track at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center that kids can pop into any time between 10am and 4pm on July 8. No matter when they start or how fast they go, they’ll receive a medal and T-shirt. 

The latter, the Half-Marathon (part of the Meijer Festival Races presented by Cherry Bay Orchards), is one of the most picturesque race routes anywhere. It begins at 7:30am July 10, near the vineyards overlooking West Grand Traverse Bay and runs through cherry orchards, with your typical breathtaking Traverse City views along the shoreline to a downtown finish.

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