TRAVERSE CITY -- 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.
"We were not going to come, but changed our minds at the last second and bought expensive plane tickets," Mary Presnell said. "We spent an arm and a leg getting up here, but it was worth it."
Near-perfect weather, the draw of air show acrobatics and a revamped format combined to make the 82nd National Cherry Festival one of the most successful in recent memory, despite the state and national economic woes.
Festival officials believe at least 500,000 people likely trekked to the Open Space and other events across town over the past week. Several vendors and downtown storefronts are reporting record sales, due in part to new venues added to this year's festival, but also a renewed interest by locals, Director Tom Menzel said.
"We have probably had the largest crowds we have ever had. Some vendors have told me they sold more (opening weekend) ... then they did at the whole festival last year," Menzel said. "I think people within the community have gotten reinvested, that's what I am noticing. I think that made a big difference."
Junior festival ambassadors Abbey Mollitor and Elise Goodell, both 12, witnessed the festival's success firsthand as they worked several shifts at children's events. Hot summer weather and eager youngsters can make the work tough, the girls said as they cooled off in the shade along the Union Street bridge, but neither was ready for the festival to be over.
"Sometimes it gets really annoying and you have to be nice all the time, but it's lots of fun," Elise said.
"It's also good to know that you are helping the community. And we get free pie," Abbey said.
In the Open Space, Lisa Johnson watched her son Drew, 11, flip through the air Friday at the Quad Power Jump as part of their yearly trip to the area, a tradition that started when her parents brought her north as a child.
The Johnsons, of northern California, went on vacation to the Bahamas earlier this year, but have been looking forward to their favorite summertime retreat.
"Most of my closest friends are still here," Lisa said.
"I'd rather go to Michigan," Drew said of his two vacations. "You can do a lot more things here."
Kennedy Myers, 3, donned a wide grin and a Cherry Festival stamp on her hand as she waived a small American flag on the corner of Front and Union Streets, where she waited for the parade with her parents, Randy and Autumn.
The air show and parades were the big festival highlights for the Traverse City family, said Randy, who was impressed by the turn-out at both events.
"When you read the newspaper or watch the news, everything is definitely in a more depressed time right now. So for everyone to come up and support the festival was kind of a surprise," he said.
He wasn't the only one taken aback.
By Friday evening, Gibby's Elephant Ears Owner Jamie Hansen was working on her second 50-pound bag of flour at the booth along Union Street where she dished out several thousand of the tasty treats in the past week.
"We came in with our expectations kind of low," she said. "But it has gone really well."
National Cherry Festival
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