National Cherry Festival

Mark your calendar for the 2021 event, July 3-10th!

The National Cherry Festival staff and volunteers have been taking the time to plan a safe cherry celebration to give everyone something to celebrate this year. “We recognize that not everyone is ready to gather in crowds yet, so we will be hosting in- person, virtual, and hybrid events to meet everyone where they are. And every in-person event will be following state and local guidelines to ensure the safety of all involved” said Kat Paye, Executive Director.

The Porch Parade will fill neighborhoods with joy once again in 2021! And events like the Arts & Crafts Fair, and the Old Town Car Show will be back in a separate more socially distanced location. The National Cherry Festival will also continue to be the site for Ultimate Air Dogs and The Great American Duck Race. F&M Park will still hold kids events and everyone will still be able to see some white tents on the horizon of West Grand Traverse Bay as the Open Space will still be home base for this cherry celebration.

The safety and security of this community, our guests, our volunteers, and our staff are top of mind; and while many of the events will be able to happen in some fashion, some large events will not be found on the calendar. This includes the The Bayside Music Stage, and the airshow featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Scheduling changes may occur, so be sure to stay connected by using their event calendar for your planning. 

With all this in mind, The National Cherry Festival was created to celebrate and promote cherries, community involvement, and the Grand Traverse Region, the staff and volunteers have been working hard to do just that. It has been a difficult time for everyone and the National Cherry Festival is proud to be able to return some excitement to the summer months in Northern Michigan.

All Things Cherry!

While we wait for the 2021 festival, we thought we'd share some of our favorite cherry festival memories and fun facts. Take a look below!