American Nomad Blog
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American Nomad covers the best of U.S. travel—from vacation deals to festivals, weekend getaways, travel tips, and more. A seasoned traveler and Moon author, Laura is the perfect guide to help discover new gems when traveling domestically.
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Michigan's Cherry Fest Has Begun
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Michigan is one of my favorite U.S. states – I even call it home during the summer months – and while I relish the chance to explore its diverse landscapes, villages, and museums for the Moon Michigan guide, I’ve found that one of the best ways to experience Michigan culture is to attend one of its many festivals and events – from the Traverse City Film Festival to the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Powwow in Mount Pleasant.
If you’re visiting Michigan in early July, you simply can’t miss the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City – surely the state’s most popular and most anticipated event. Started in 1926, the National Cherry Festival now lures more than half a million visitors every summer. This year’s Cherry Fest, which kicked off this morning with the Million Dollar Hole-in-One Golf Contest, runs till next Saturday.
All week long, visitors to the self-proclaimed “Cherry Capital of the World” will be treated to a wide variety of activities, including concerts, parades, air shows, fireworks displays, arts-and-crafts fairs, carnival games, classic film screenings, volleyball tournaments, and old-fashioned picnics. Other eagerly awaited events include the Old Mission Peninsula Bike Tour, the nostalgic Hagerty Family Car Show, the Planters Go Nuts! Bed Race, and the Cherryland Band Classic – a championship featuring some of the best high school marching bands in the Midwest.
If you’re feeling brave, there might still be time to enter an assortment of competitions, from cherry pit-spitting bouts to a family-friendly sand sculpture contest to the CHERRYOPOLY Tournament. Children can even take on their peers in events like the pet show, chalk art contest, bicycle rodeo, or turtle races. And, of course, what would a cherry festival be without its share of cherry-related competitions and events? With cherry pie-eating contests, guided cherry orchard tours, the Grand Traverse Pie Make & Bake, and two popular epicurean events – Cherries D’Vine at Northwestern Michigan College and Cherries Grand Buffet at the historic City Opera House – the National Cherry Festival has got you covered.
Although I’ve never had the stomach for food-related battles, I love everything else about the Cherry Fest. In summers past, I’ve happily braved the crowds to watch the ever-popular air show or taste the finest of Michigan’s regional wines and cherry cuisine. And I don’t plan on missing this year’s event either – perhaps I’ll even see you there!
For more information about the National Cherry Festival, visit the website or call the hotline at 800/968-3380.
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Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.
Cherry Festival
Posted by bigeasy on July 6, 2009 at 5:07 pm
We tried some of the cherry wines a few years ago. It was kind of like drinking a nice port with a slight cherry kick... it was very nice and I think when we're there in a couple of days, I will pick up a bottle or two.
Also, I am looking forward to seeing some of the amazing arts & crafts displayed at the festival.
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Posted by lmartone on July 7, 2009 at 12:07 am
Thanks for the ideas... I wouldn't mind tasting a little cherry wine myself. I must admit, though, it's the cherry pie I'm craving right now. Mmm... can't wait!