One of Michigan’s biggest and most iconic festivals is back this year. The National Cherry Festival is celebrating its 95th year with fewer events than previous years.
“While it’s a little scaled-back, there’s still an amazing amount of events—the farm market with all of our amazing cherry products, the food court will have local entertainment, the car show, the craft show, kids events, a parade, and much more,” said Kat Paye, executive director of the National Cherry Festival.
In a typical year, the festival holds around 150 events during the week. That includes the Blue Angels and Bayside Music Stage Concert Series. However, those events and others won’t be taking place this year.
“We are probably scaled back to more like 50 to 60 [events] this year, but there’s a lot of stuff,” said Paye. “There’s even a few new things like a cornhole tournament [and] bingo is back. We’ve focused a little bit more on the local aspect and some of the smaller events and making them more quality. There’s something for everyone.”
Event organizers are also bringing a virtual component into this year’s show.
“We really want to meet people where they’re at, so we’re planning on some hybrid events,” said Paye. “There’s some online options with our Festival of Races—you can do a 5k or 10k in person, or you can sign up and do it virtual if that’s how you choose to celebrate this summer. But according to everything we have heard and the restrictions being lifted, we should be open and full capacity at that point.”
The festival will start July 3 and wrap up July 10. Paye added that everyone from volunteers to festival goers are excited for this event.
“We’ve really tried to adapt, change and grow with this to be able to meet people where they want to go,” she said. “Not everyone wants to come to Open Space Park and be in the hustle and bustle, and maybe they want to enjoy a cherry pie at the car show. That’s great too. We’re just ready to celebrate our favorite fruit anyway we can.”
To learn more about the festival, visit cherryfestival.org.
