Cherry Festival: Cherry Lover’s Edition

Foodie fun at the festival

By Rachel Pasche | June 27, 2026

The National Cherry Festival can be a foodie paradise—assuming you enjoy cherries, of course. Traverse City’s famous fruit is the star of the show and takes center stage for the entire week, featuring in pies, contests, tours, markets, jams, salsas, pancakes, and more.

This year, Edmondson Farms, located on Old Mission Peninsula, is hosting a booth at the Cherry Farm Market, where they’ll be selling some of the early sweet cherry crop. Hallstedt Homestead Cherries, based in Northport, will also participate, showcasing its new cherry vinegar and other products. Many of the cherries for this year’s festival are grown on Old Mission Peninsula or on the Leelanau Peninsula, though the cherries used in the baked goods are often imported, since those cherry varieties used in cooking aren’t in season yet.

We spoke with some other local farms, including Gallagher’s Farm and King Orchards, to learn more about the cherry crop. So far, the farmers say it looks like it’ll be a good year for sweet cherries (the outlook for tarts is a bit less rosy). Barring any wild weather, there will be U-Pick opportunities available at farms that have cherries ready, including Edmondson Orchards, King Orchards, Hallstedt Homestead Cherries, Morrison Farms, and more.

When you’re ready to nosh on more cherry goodies, we’ve rounded up a schedule of the best food-based festival events below.

JULY 4

Sara Hardy Farmers Market, 7:30am–12pm
There’s more than just cherries at the Sara Hardy Farmers Market! This weekly market takes place at the Old Town Parking Deck during the Cherry Festival. Shoppers can find local produce (including any cherries that are ripe and ready), baked goods, honey, soaps, and more.

Very Cherry Flying Pancake Breakfast, 8–11am
Need breakfast plans on the Fourth of July? The Very Cherry Flying Pancake Breakfast includes cherry-inspired pancakes, sausages, coffee, and juice, plus a special appearance by the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Fly Baby. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids.

Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm
Looking for more cherry-themed goods? Check out the Cherry Farm Market, which includes sweet cherries from Edmondson Farms along with other cherry goods, like desserts, jams, salsas, juices, trail mixes, and more.

Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm
Grab something to sip on while you’re attending the Festival at the Beer Tent, where you’ll find a variety of local and domestic beers, a selection of wine, and specialty cocktails with a cherry-themed twist.

Adult Cherry Pit-Spitting Contest, 6–7pm
The pit-spitting contest is a fun way to get in the spirit of the festival and enjoy some friendly competition. The record is over 95 feet! See if you can beat it and claim the trophy. This event takes place in the Open Space and is free to participate in and spectate.

JULY 5

Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm

Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm

A Cherry Royal Picnic, 4:30–6:30pm
Grab a sandwich or some snacks from the vendors at the Open Space (and some cherries from the Farm Market!) and bring the kids to enjoy activities with Cherry royalty, including a sing-along, cherry trivia, a dance lesson, and a book reading. The picnic takes place at F&M Park at Railroad and Washington Streets.

JULY 6

Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm

Orchard Tours, 10am–1pm
Get a hands-on tour of cherry farming with tours of a 137-acre research farm in the heart of cherry country, operated by the Michigan State University Extension. The tours include educational exhibits, samples of cherry products, a 4-H petting zoo, and other 4-H kid activities. Shuttles depart from the BATA Hall St. Transfer Station at 9:30am and 10:30am and leave from the MSU orchard at 10am, 11am, and noon.

Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm

Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 1–3pm
If your kids love cherry pie, this is the event for them! Any children between 4 and 12 are welcome to participate in this pie-eating contest and try to clean their plates. The contest begins with the youngest participants going first. This event is held at F&M Park; please arrive 15 minutes early to register.

Bubble Gum Blow Contest, 2pm
Calling all bubble-blowing masters 12 and under: it’s time to put your skills to the test! The Bubble Gum Blow gives kids a chance to compete and blow the biggest bubble. Registration for this event takes place at Kids Club, starts at 1:45pm, and ends at 2:15pm.

Adult Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 5–6pm
Step up on stage and show the festival what you’ve got at the adult cherry pie eating contest! This free event is open to any adults who wish to participate; just know you’ll be up on the Lays Cherry Blast Stage in the Open Space Park. Registration is free and opens 30 minutes prior to the event at the stage.

Adult Cherry Pit Spitting Contest, 6–7pm

JULY 7

Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm
Orchard Tours, 10am–1pm
Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm
Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 1–3pm

JULY 8

Sara Hardy Farmer’s Market, 7:30am–12pm
Orchard Tours, 10am–1pm
Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm
Cherry Farm Market, 12–10pm
Bubble Gum Blow, 2pm
Adult Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 5–6pm
Adult Cherry Pit-Spitting Contest, 6-7pm

JULY 9

Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm

Grand Traverse Pie Make & Bake, 10am–4pm
Come to Clinch Park to learn how to make a cherry pie, then bring your crusted creation home with you! Open to kids 12 and under. This is a free event, but a $5 donation is optional to support the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center.

Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm
Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 1–3pm

JULY 10

Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm
Orchard Tours, 10am–1pm
Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm
Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 1–3pm
Bubble Gum Blow, 2pm
Adult Cherry Pie Eating Contest, 5–6pm
Adult Cherry Pit-Spitting Contest, 6–7pm

JULY 11

Sara Hardy Farmers Market, 7:30am–12pm
Cherry Farm Market, 10am–10pm
Beer Tent, 12–10:30pm