TRAVERSE CITY -- The National Cherry Festival has more than 80 corporate sponsors, such as Verizon and Pepsi, and 17 promotional partners, like "The Other White Meat Campaign."
Promotional partnerships raise displays at the Open Space during at least part of the festival.
That's right, part.
Of the 17 promotional partnerships, only six will be at the Open Space during the entire eight-day festival.
"They want to use events that draw strong numbers like the Cherry Festival does," said Chuck O'Connor, the festival's corporate partnership director. But "how many days do they need to be with us to make their point? Can they figure out a way to do just the first three or four days, then move onto another audience?"
Many do just that, meaning displays must be switched out throughout the week.
"We try to load them in before 9 in the morning and move them out after 11:30 or 12 (midnight)," O'Connor said.
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Amanda Haredy graduated from St. Francis High School in 2008, then returned home to Germany. A year later, Haredy returned to Traverse City to enjoy the summer events she missed the first time.
"I had one of the most amazing nights of my entire life," Haredy said of Saturday's July 4 fireworks display. "It was loud. Really American. We don't have anything like that in Germany. It was so American."
Haredy's host father, Owen Cook, signed Haredy up as a Cherry Festival volunteer.
"I want to be involved and part of the whole thing," Haredy said. "I feel really welcome here. It's really sweet. It makes my heart dance.
"People from Traverse City in general are really nice and open people."
Haredy will return to Germany on Aug. 7.
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Hillar (Al) Bergman remembers attending the fair when it was held at the Civic Center and saying, "Someday, I want to live in Traverse City."
His wish came true 10 years ago. Bergman plays the fiddle and makes balloon animals, often in conjunction.
"I've done a lot of different festivals," Bergman said. "But now I like being home every night. I've been a performer in the past for Friday Night Live."
Bergman earned a degree in fine arts from Saginaw Valley College, then fell in love with music, so the only logical thing to do was to combine the two.
He was the first person to receive a street vendor permit by the National Cherry Festival, and has returned ever since for the kids, the good time and the fun, Bergman said.
Staff writer Laura Wright compiled this information.
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