The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navys flight demonstration squad, appear at the Cherry Festival every other, even-numbered year. This years air show will be from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. both today and Sunday and features the Trojan Horsemen, a six-aircraft team that performs across the country.

Big things may be happening for them on the national stage, but The Bihlman Bros. are never too big for the National Cherry Festival stage. The powerhouse blues band will reunite in Traverse City Saturday for the first time in at least four years to help kick off the 83rd annual festival.

A slew of new venues, events, and products will be on display at the 83rd National Cherry Festival, which gets under way on Saturday.

Weather doesn't appear to be a problem during this year's Cherry Festival, July 4-11.

Running Fit will host a course preview run for this year's National Cherry Festival races today at 7 p.m.

Workers buzzed the soggy Open Space early this week in preparation for the 83rd annual festival that begins Saturday and runs through July 11.

Too old to hang with their families, not yet adults on their own. Older teens attending the National Cherry Festival now have an event all their own, thanks to some collaboration and creativity in the community.

West Grand Traverse Bay will serve as stage for twin Saturday pyrotechnic shows. Fireworks displays are planned for this year's 83rd annual National Cherry Festival on July 4 and 11. Both are set to erupt at 10:30 p.m. those nights. The July 4 show is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Veteran Coalition.

The Outback Adventure canoe races on the Boardman River will help kick off the Cherry Festival on July 4-5.

The National Cherry Festival has selected its four finalists, one of whom will become the 2009 National Cherry Queen in ceremonies scheduled for July 10.

The National Cherry Festival announced its applicants for National Cherry Queen. Five finalists will be chosen Saturday at the Great Wolf Lodge.

Organizers unveiled plans for the 2009 National Cherry Festival during a Thursday ceremony at the top of the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City. This year's festival bears the tag line "Generations of Fun" and will preserve traditions while injecting new attractions, organizers said.