Tom Menzel expected a strong year for the National Cherry Festival, but couldn't have predicted it would go so well. "We thought we'd have a good festival, but we definitely didn't expect that we'd have the numbers that came," said Menzel.

The National Cherry Festival's increased focus on thinking green helped boost materials recycled at the 2008 event by about seven percent.

Tom Menzel, who overhauled the National Cherry Festival to bring more financial stability to the city's signature summer event, is stepping down as its executive director.

Complete results from the 2008 National Cherry Festival's Festival of Races.

Matt and Mary Presnell leaned against a downtown building with their son Boone, 2, as thousands of spectators jostled for the perfect spot to watch the National Cherry Festival's Cherry Royale Parade. The family from Athens, Ga., nearly canceled their annual vacation to Traverse City because of skyrocketing gas prices, but the festival, beaches and other local attractions proved too hard to resist.

Alex Vanias showed off his potential to his future University of Detroit teammates Saturday. The 17-year-old, who just graduated from Pine River, pulled away to win the Cherry Festival 15K by nearly a minute.

If there's a women's running race next weekend and Allison Iott is entered, make plenty of room on the medal stand. Iott won the Cherry Festival 5K in her first attempt on Saturday by nearly a full minute.

Just like she did in high school, Marissa Treece had one goal when it came to the Cherry Festival 15K race. "I came out here to win," said the 19-year-old former Glen Lake standout. "My goal was to break an hour and I went through it in like 56:30 or something. I did what I set out to do."

Peer pressure. Andy Yazzie succumbed to it late Friday night. But he didn't mind Saturday morning. The former Calvin College runner won the Cherry Festival 5K, holding off former Suttons Bay standout Kevin Cataldo by two seconds.

Family support and her experience marketing cherry products helped Megan Umulis win the coveted 2008 National Cherry Festival crown after three previous tries at the title.

Mike Lautner and his wife, Mickey, spend two weeks each summer living aboard their 27-foot cruiser during the National Cherry Festival, a time when the Traverse City residents abandon their cars for bikes and take life at a slower pace.

Forget high gas prices and economic troubles, the National Cherry Festival is having a bang-up year. "It's been the best festival since I've been involved, in terms the number of people here," three-year festival Director Tom Menzel said.

The issue of recycling hits close to home for Port Huron residents Dave and Sandy Hietikko when they watch hundreds of trucks each day haul Canadian trash through their hometown. "It's amazing to see tons of plastic just wasted," she said as she browsed through exhibits at the National Cherry Festival's Environmental Day on Friday.

Four candidates are vying to be the 2008 National Cherry Festival Queen, but reigning queen Danielle Moss won't venture a guess as to who'll be crowned tonight.

Bea Houghton's 30-year commitment to her volunteer fire department is just one reason she was named the 2008 National Cherry Festival Distinguished Senior. Karen Rosa, Long Lake Township Supervisor, and others in the township office nominated Houghton because she's always willing to help, and doesn't ask for anything in return.

Mike Rutledge jogs 20 miles a week with his dog Onyx, watches the animal's diet and, when the weather is good, takes the black Labrador retriever to the Open Space boat launch to test her progress. Onyx, 6, is among about 75 high-flying dogs that will test their skills in the Open Space through this weekend at the Ultimate Air Dogs dock jumping competition.

There's something really wrong -- yet at the same time irresistible -- about carnival food. As the National Cherry Festival wraps up and the county fairs start to rev up, it's time to dine "carny-style." Here's a round-up of the top five foods served at local events.

Lija Ditmar and her niece Bethany Giss were captivated by a recent showing of "Cherryland," a historical film about the National Cherry Festival that's showing all week at the State Theatre. "I wish I could carry a placard around so everyone would come and see it," Ditmar said.

Max Dingeman used to come to Fun and Games for Special Kids day as a participant. Now, Dingeman, who has Down syndrome, volunteers his time by working at the annual National Cherry Festival event. "It's really fun to interact with the kids," Dingeman, 17, said.

Kelsey King wants to try out for the American Idol television program one day. For now, she'll have to settle for the National Cherry Festival version: Cherry Idol. King was among more than 60 participants in the first Cherry Idol. Event coordinator Heather Johnson said it was the success of American Idol that prompted Cherry Idol's addition to the festival schedule.

Blisters, sunburns, slivers and scrapes -- those are the types of medical maladies that send visitors to the National Cherry Festival's first-aid tent. And, there was that one problem with the plastic top from a pop bottle.

Hannah DeBortoli and her sisters, twins Erica and Olivia, fondly recall attending Cherry Festival activities with their grandmother, but this year they are lending their hands as volunteers by serving as Junior Ambassadors.

Marissa Treece will try something new Saturday. The Notre Dame sophomore, and former Glen Lake state champion, has never run a race longer than 10K. On Saturday, though, she'll be in the Cherry Festival 15K field.

More rainy days and cool temperatures could dampen the National Cherry Festival before it wraps this week.

The National Cherry Festival Heritage Day event was one of several Tuesday that celebrated Traverse City's history, as well as the people and cultures that made the region what it is today, said Patti DeAgostino, executive director of the Heritage Center.

A year ago, he was preparing for his fall cross country season at Central Michigan University. Now, Andrew Manning is employed at Lyle Industries in Beaverton, coming off his first marathon, and hoping to be a contender in Saturday's Cherry Festival 15K road race.

Volunteering for the National Cherry Festival is a family affair for Herb Lemcool. He and his wife, Barbara, went on their first date during festival week, and now his children and grandchildren proudly don the red shirts and hats, and regularly hold leadership positions over various festival activities.

Stephanie Grammens-Wildman had never participated in the Cherry Pit Spit Contest, but she's practiced for it her entire life. The practice sure paid off.

Three years into his term as the festival's executive director, Tom Menzel plans to step down to pursue other opportunities. "I wasn't looking for a career," Menzel said. "I was looking to give back. Plus, turnover is good for business."

Graeme Placek wasn't sure about his family's chances during a four-person volleyball tournament, but the Traverse City teen was ecstatic with the results.

The Piper family arranged their whole summer to attend the Hagerty Family Car Show, and it was hard to tell which of the three generations of car enthusiasts enjoyed themselves more.

Between stone birdhouses, sweetly scented candles and fuzzy, purple puppets with big green noses, the Arts and Crafts Fair on Union Street teemed with families enjoying creative bliss.

Peter Garthe set an ambitious goal for the number of Cherry Festival Commemorative pins he wants to sell this year. But that's not unusual; he does so every year. And Garthe would like to see one of his pin-buyers be the winner of the raffle drawing. But he's done that, too -- four times. This year he not only wants to sell the winning pin, but to sell it to a woman.

The National Cherry Festival schedule for Monday, July 7, 2008.

Clear skies and temperatures in the 80s provided ideal conditions for the official opening day of the 82nd National Cherry Festival. By mid-morning, thousands of festival-goers from across the state and beyond streamed into the Open Space to jostle for spots to watch the afternoon air show.

Andra Wist has played with the Saskatoon Lions Band since before she was in high school and can hardly wait for the band's summer tour each year. The cherry on top: the group's final stop at the National Cherry Festival.

Mother Nature doesn't check the local events calendar as she ripens northern Michigan's cherry crop, and this year things are a bit behind schedule. The National Cherry Festival kicked off this weekend, but most northern Michigan growers are still waiting to pick their first cherries of the season.

Zoe Gum loves coming out for the Cherry Festival. She's looking forward to trying her hand at bungee jumping, rock climbing and maybe even the pie-eating contest. But there is one thing she isn't so happy about.

"Racers on your mark ... GO!" And they were off, wheels of many colors rolling toward the finish line, smiles stretched across kids' faces. Fueled by pedal power, determination and enthusiasm, the goal of all Big Wheel racers was to reach the finish line, where the ultimate thrill of victory awaited them.

Summer West earned $300 when she sold pop, chips and candy at last year's National Cherry Festival. It's little surprise she'll try it again this year.

From a ballroom dancing country singer to an "American Idol" contestant and rocking bands, the National Cherry Festival aims to offer something for every ear. The festival promises eight days of music at its Bay Side Entertainment Stage at the Open Space in Traverse City, starting Saturday with Julianne Hough.

Julianne Hough quick-stepped and jived to fame on national TV, but it's country music that put her song in your head. The professional dancer snagged two championships on the ABC show "Dancing with the Stars" when paired with celebrity contestants Apolo Anton Ohno and Helio Castroneves. Now, she's dropped a country CD featuring the catchy single "That Song in my Head."

Gas is over $4 a gallon, food prices are at an all-time high, the cherry crop has taken a hit, yet National Cherry Festival officials aren't expecting fewer-than-normal celebrants. In fact, they're taking a no predictions stance.

The inaugural Cherry Festival Diamond Classic begins today.

Are all your favorite planes blue and gold with large numbers on the tails? You might be a candidate for the Blue Angels Fan Club.

Fortunately for festival-goers, weather experts are predicting much more shine than rain. Ideal temperatures are expected for opening weekend.

Area hotel owners and campground managers hope for the best, but are bracing for something less as this year's tourism season hits full stride. So far, area lodging officials report reservation numbers for the Fourth of July holiday and Cherry Festival week are up.

The National Cherry Festival and the Traverse City Film Festival partnered to offer free movies every day during the Cherry Festival.

The National Cherry Festival will open its doors on Friday, July 4, a day before the official kick-off.

The race for National Cherry Festival queen is down to four finalists. Judges last weekend narrowed 19 candidates to four women. They were chosen based on public speaking, poise, a talent performance and knowledge of the cherry industry.

The National Cherry Festival has announced its 19 queen candidates for the 2008 festival. A queens weekend is being held through Saturday at Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. The five finalists will be announced at the culmination of that event.