A Local’s Guide to Cherry Festival

Free, new, and under-the-radar activities to put on your list

By Brighid Driscoll | July 1, 2023

Skies are blue, temperatures are rising, and your morning commute is probably a little longer than usual; it’s Cherry Festival time in Michigan’s favorite vacation spot.

Though the National Cherry Festival (NCF) attracts over half a million visitors, it also offers some under-the-radar opportunities for locals (and tourists) to escape the crowds and see (or try!) something new. Northern Express chatted with National Cherry Festival Media Manager Susan Wilcox Olson and Creative Director Bailey Judson for some insight.

Cherries at the Botanic Garden
July 1 (and daily throughout the festival), 10am to 5pm | Free
Beat the heat at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park this year. Located near the Grand Traverse Commons, The Botanic Garden offers 25 acres of natural exhibits, including gardens for pollinators, healing medicines, and rain- and fire-hardy plants.

But the biggest draw for the kiddos are the dozens of fairy homes (created by artistic locals) that wind through a woodland trail behind the garden. This year for the NCF, a program called Hidden Cherries will create a story walk through the fairy trail. (And as a bonus, shade from the tree canopy makes this a great way to cool off on a hot day.) “The Botanic Garden is beautiful and this is something really fun for the family,” says Olson.

P.S. Save the date—also on the NCF schedule is a Garden Party at The Botanic Garden planned for July 5, with free and ticketed activities for all ages.

Bingo Tent
July 1-7, 12pm to 8pm
A retro favorite is back! The past several years, NCF has not had a bingo tent, but this year it’ll be back in action. “The locals asked for it, and we love giving them what they want,” says Olson. Must be 18+ to play.

Old Town Classic Car Show
July 2, 11am to 3pm | $15 for vehicle registration, free to viewers
A favorite for classic car enthusiasts near and far, the Old Town Classic Car Show is exactly that: classic. As Michiganders, auto manufacturing is ingrained in our culture. Even if you’re not an enthusiast, the car show is a fun way to see how far innovation has come through the years. Historical cars, trucks, tractors, and motorcycles from the Midwest will be on display from 11am until 3pm. The entrance to the show is located at the corner of Union and 6th Street, and the Top 10 and a Best in Show Trophy will be awarded at 1pm at Lay Park.

Orchard Tours at MSU Horticultural Research Station
July 3-7, 10am to 1pm | Free
The Michigan State University Extension, NCF, and Michigan Cherry Committee are teaming up to help you learn more about farm life and the journey cherries make before landing in your favorite bowl.

“Something we love being able to do during the festival is educate people about cherries,” Olson says. “This year, we have a farm tour for all ages led by Nikki Rothwell. She’s going to talk about all things cherry.”

Rothwell is a Leelanau farmer with a PhD in entomology and is the fruit specialist for the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center, where the tours will be held. A born and raised farm girl, Rothwell understands the industry’s intricacies, threats, and successes.

Hop on the Hall Street BATA bus at 9:30am or 10:30am or arrive at the orchard at 10am, 11am, or noon to take the tour. (Pro tip: A 4-H petting zoo on the tour makes this an especially fun afternoon for kids.)

Cornhole Tournament
July 4-5, 12pm to 6pm | $25
Speaking of Midwest pride, this year’s festival is holding a round robin cornhole tournament at the Beer Tent. This beloved backyard barbecue game requires more skill than athleticism, but you can bet that there will be some fierce competitors in the mix. Do you have a cornhole all-star (age 16 and up) in your life? Encourage them to claim their fame at this year’s NCF! The Michigan Cornhole League and Cornhole America are helping sponsor the event, and those who wish to enter can register for either day or both.

Fun & Games for Special Cherry Kids
July 5, 9am | Free
Kids of all abilities will have a slew of fun and games to pick from on July 5 at this inclusive event, which is geared toward children and individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. The morning includes opportunities to play games, make art and crafts, get faces painted, and meet the Cherry Queen and Queen’s Court.

Judson says her favorite part of the festival is watching the kids have fun. “Seeing them smile and make these memories is special and so wonderful to see,” she says.

Amusement rides will also operate at a slower speed, with assistance from Arnold’s Amusement staff helping kids on and off the rides. “It’s a little quieter than midday at the festival, and being near the bay in the morning is so nice,” Judson adds.

Curling with the National Cherry Festival
July 6, 10am to 6pm | $10
Curling has exploded Up North over the last few years, and indoor arenas make playing possible all year around. When the team at the newly built Traverse City Curling Center reached out to the folks at NCF about joining the events roster, it was an easy yes. “It’s gotten so popular, especially after the Winter Olympics,” says Olson. “It’s really become part of local culture up here, and we’re excited for people to try it out.”

The one-day event has 24 available spots for each hourly time slot, and participants will compete to see who can throw the stone closest to the button. Must be age six and up and bring a clean pair of sneakers (no sand or dirt on the ice!). Register ahead of time online.

Cherries Got Talent Finals
July 7, 2pm | Free
Northern Michigan has plenty of talented locals ready to get on stage and put on a show. Formerly called Cherry Idol, the Cherries Got Talent Finals will offer a variety of entertainment ranging from music to dance to theater. Catch the live performances at the Open Space and see who walks away with the gold.

Pickleball Tournament
July 7- 8 | $50
Another favorite pastime that’s been gaining traction in NoMi is pickleball. “Our local community has just fallen in love with pickleball,” said Olson. “When some locals reached out to us about including it, we thought it was a great idea.” Enter: the first ever National Cherry Festival Pickleball Tournament.

Friday, July 7, will host the women’s and men’s doubles part of the draw, and Saturday, July 8, is mixed doubles. You can compete in more than one event, with another $10 registration fee for the second event. Each day’s games start at 8am at the Slabtown courts. Skill levels will be split by age, and the round robin brackets will be limited to seven teams.

More New Stuff This Year

Want to be the first to experience the next best Cherry Festival Tradition? Here are a few more new activities on the event roster for 2023:

July 1-3: Bayside Beach Volleyball Tournament (2-person men’s, women’s, and youth teams)
July 1-2: Picnic at the Park (held at the Park Place) and The Flight Path at Delamar (at Delamar Traverse City) are two new ticketed luncheons that give you great views of the Air Show
July 1-7: Family-friendly classic movies will have matinee showtimes (10am) at the State Theatre. Tickets are $1/person.
July 2-3: Traverse Symphony Orchestra and Rhythm Revolution from Chicago will lead a free, hands-on drumming program in Rotary Square.
July 7: Cherry Pins and Pizza bowling fun at Lucky Jack’s.
July 7: A free dancer mixer will be held at the Clinch Park Pavillion from 7-10pm. A DJ will provide tunes, and a photo booth will be on-site. (Note: This is an alcohol-free event.)