7 a.m.-Noon
Cherry TART Tour
Spend the morning taking in the splendor of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties by touring the Traverse Area Recreation Trails.
Registration available up to the day of the event. Tour begins at 8 a.m., with lunch from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. A portion of the ticket cost will be donated to our generous partner, the TART Trails Organization.
Railroad Depot; Corner of Eighth Street and Woodmere Avenue, Traverse City
9 a.m.
Seniors' Golf Tournament
Sponsored by Traverse City Light & Power and Traverse City Record-Eagle
Prizes awarded. Must be 50 and older. Call Bay Meadows Golf Course to make your own tee time, 946-7927. Tee times will be reserved in foursomes. Cost: $13 greens fee per person. Carts available upon request. Greens fees and cart: $20 per person. Payment due at tee time.
Bay Meadows Golf Course, 5220 Barney Road
9 a.m.-noon
Kids' Sand Sculpture Contest
Sponsored by Big Boy Restaurants and Fox 33
A fun day on the beach with competitions for all ages as well as groups. Ages 3-5 compete from 9 to 9:45 a.m.; ages 6-8 from 9:15 to 10 a.m.; ages 9-12 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.; and groups with ages 3-12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is 15 minutes before the start of each category. Only items found on the beach may be used in the decoration of the sculpture with the exception of food coloring. Free.
Beachside between the Festival Open Space Park and West End Beach Volleyball Courts
9 a.m.-noon
Historical Tour
Join the Grand Traverse Heritage Center and visit historical sites in downtown Traverse City, such as the Wellington Inn, City Opera House and Pavilions Cottages. Tour ends at the Mercado, located in the Grand Traverse Commons, for wine tasting. For details, call the Heritage Center at 995-0313.
Grand Traverse Heritage Center
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Cherry Connection: Bringing Together Festival, Farm & Fruit
Sponsored by Michigan Cherry Committee
The National Cherry Festival and Michigan State University Extension invite you to escape to a 100-acre research farm in the heart of "Cherry Country." Visit a productive orchard in beautiful Leelanau County, where fruit and Festival come together at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station operated by the Michigan State University Extension. In addition to the guided orchard tours, there are exhibits and samples of the newest cherry products and technology inside the station. There is all sorts of "cherry" fun for the kids, including a petting zoo, hands-on experiments, kids poster coloring contest and many other activities.
BATA shuttles will pick up by the Traverse City Visitor's Center on Garland Street. Look for the Cherry Connection shuttle sign. The bus is scheduled to leave every 30 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to noon and makes return trips.
Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station
10 a.m.-Noon
Diaper Derby and Toddler Trot
Sponsored by Big Boy Restaurants
For our youngest Festivalgoers, fun-filled competitions of baby crawling and toddling. Prizes for everyone.
F&M Park at Railroad and Washington streets
10 a.m.-11 p.m.
Festival Open Space Park
Enjoy the Johnsonville Brat Tent, Country Fresh Ice Cream and Sara Lee Bakery Cherry Pie booth, Pepsi products, AAA Michigan's Welcome Center and the Cherry Farm Market Tent, as well as live entertainment and Festival souvenirs.
The 9&10 News/WTCM Festival Marketplace offers promotional displays and samplings from Festival sponsoring companies, including Kitchen Craft International, Toyota and AAA Motor Sports.
Other on-site promotional partners include Grand Bay Marine, Crownline Boats, Grand Bay Golf Cars, Basic Communications, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Yellow Pages, Wireless Zone, Clif Bar, Sony Playstation, Indy 500, Alltel, Walk-In-Tubs, Grand Traverse Pie Co., Charter and the U.S. Navy.
Stop by the Festival's first aid facility, sponsored by Munson Medical Center and North Flight EMS Paramedic services, or register your 2008 Commemorative Gold Pins and Second Chance Drawing cards, plus check for lost items, friends, family or messages at the Festival Welcome Center, sponsored by AAA Michigan. Each day, entertainment passes and event tickets will be available at the Welcome Center.
Festival Open Space at Grandview Parkway and Union Street
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
DTE Energy Environmental Fair
Sponsored by DTE Energy
A collection of environmentally focused nonprofit groups will be available for Festivalgoers to explore ideas for protecting the environment.
Festival Open Space Park
11 a.m.-noon
Kids' "Make, Bake & Take" Pies
Presented by Grand Traverse Pie Co.
Space is limited. First come, first to enjoy!
Grand Traverse Pie Co. Open Space booth.
11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Arnold Amusements Midway
Visit Traverse City's own favorite amusements near the Festival Open Space.
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cherries Grand Buffet — Seating 1
Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Grand Traverse Pie Co. in cooperation with 9&10 News
Last year's inaugural event sold out. Join the National Cherry Festival and the Old Town Playhouse Performers for a lively luncheon. Enjoy locally-inspired dishes and grand entertainment in the beauty of the Traverse City's historic City Opera House.
Tickets available at the National Cherry Festival Office or online. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. To order, call the Cherry Festival at (800) 968-3380 or 947-4230.
City Opera House, 106 E. Front St., Traverse City
11 a.m.
Cherry Classic Film Festival
Sponsored by Traverse City Light & Power and Traverse City Record Eagle. In cooperation with the Grand Traverse Heritage Center and the Traverse City Film Festival.
Join us for "Road to Morocco," a 1942 comedy starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Dorothy Lamour, Anthony Quinn and Donna Drake. Free.
State Theatre, 233 E. Front Street, Traverse City
11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest
Sponsored by Chase; hosted by the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Golfers should hone their golf skills in preparation for the National Cherry Festival's week long Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest hosted by Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard, Acme
11 a.m.
Seniors' Bingo
Presented by Traverse City Light & Power and Traverse City Record Eagle
Ten games of bingo, with prizes provided by the Medicine Shoppe of Traverse City. Must be 50 and older. No reservations or fee.
Traverse City Senior Center, 801 E. Front St. at Barlow
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ultimate Air Dogs
Sponsored by Charter Business and Great Wolf Lodge, in cooperation with WKHQ Radio
This annual competition is a huge success, featuring nearly 100 "dog athletes" and their proud owner-trainers competing for advancement in the regional.
Festival Open Space Park at Grandview Parkway and Union Street
Noon-4 p.m.
Bingo
One of America's great pastimes features cash prizes.
Open Space Park East at the corner of Grandview Parkway and Marina Drive
Noon-3 p.m.
Cherry Idol
In cooperation with WKHQ Radio
Come and sing your heart out and try to be the first Cherry Idol!
Several age groups will perform: youth, 9 to 12 years old; teen, 13 to 18 years old; and adult, 19 years old and up. Pre-registration required.
Bay Side Entertainment Stage; Grandview Parkway and Union Street
1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cherries Grand Buffet — Seating 2
Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Grand Traverse Pie Co. in cooperation with 9&10 News
Last year's inaugural event sold out. Join the National Cherry Festival and the Old Town Playhouse Performers for a lively luncheon. Enjoy locally-inspired dishes and grand entertainment in the beauty of the Traverse City's historic City Opera House.
Tickets available at the National Cherry Festival Office or online. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. To order, call the Cherry Festival at (800) 968-3380 or 947-4230.
City Opera House, 106 E. Front St., Traverse City
1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Historical Tour
Join the Grand Traverse Heritage Center and visit historical sites in downtown Traverse City, such as the Wellington Inn, City Opera House and Pavilions Cottages. Tour ends at the Mercado, located in the Grand Traverse Commons, for wine tasting. For details, call the Heritage Center at 995-0313.
Grand Traverse Heritage Center
1 p.m.-6 p.m.
Kiteboarding Demonstration on West Grand Traverse Bay
See regional professionals Matt and Keegan Myers of Broneah demonstrate the wave to come on wake and surf boards. Learn through interactive displays and on-water demonstrations.
West End Beach Volleyball Courts
1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Youth Chalk Art Contest
Sponsored by Big Boy Restaurants
Children, ages 5-12, come and bring your artistic ability to create a picture with chalk. Chalk is provided. Free.
Preferred Outlet Center on U.S. 31 South, Traverse City
3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Kids' "Make, Bake & Take" Pies
Presented by Grand Traverse Pie Co.
Space is limited. First come, first to enjoy!
Grand Traverse Pie Co. Open Space booth.
3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cherries Grand Buffet — Seating 3
Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, Grand Traverse Pie Co. in cooperation with 9&10 News
Last year's inaugural event sold out. Join the National Cherry Festival and the Old Town Playhouse Performers for a lively luncheon. Enjoy locally-inspired dishes and grand entertainment in the beauty of the Traverse City's historic City Opera House.
Tickets available at the National Cherry Festival Office or online. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. To order, call the Cherry Festival at (800) 968-3380 or 947-4230.
City Opera House, 106 E. Front St., Traverse City
3 p.m.-7 p.m.
Ultimate Air Dogs
Sponsored by Charter Business and Great Wolf Lodge, in cooperation with WKHQ Radio
This annual competition is a huge success, featuring nearly 100 "dog athletes" and their proud owner-trainers competing for advancement in the regional.
Festival Open Space Park at Grandview Parkway and Union Street
4 p.m.-4:45 p.m.
'Cherryland' Historical Film
Presented by Traverse City Record-Eagle, Grand Traverse Heritage Center and the Traverse City Film Festival
"Cherryland" explores the path of the National Cherry Festival, from its beginnings as a religious ceremony to its heyday during the Depression, when it manipulated the media and thrust itself into the nation's limelight. It is the story of a town that was geographically isolated, depleted of its primary natural resource yet believed that a Festival could turn the town around and bring prosperity. It is also a story of a community that made tremendous sacrifices to make its town attractive and hospitable to outsiders. Free.
State Theatre, 233 E. Front St., Traverse City
4:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
Cherryopoly Tournament Finals
Winners from Monday and Wednesday return for an overall Cherryopoly Tournament championship. Applications available at the National Cherry Festival office or by calling (800) 968-3380 or 947-4230.
Festival Open Space Park at Grandview Parkway and Marina Drive
5 p.m.-6 p.m.
Sara Lee Bakery Adult Cherry Pie Eating
Feel like a kid again and dive into a slice of cherry pie! The first one to finish their slice wins! Prizes awarded. Free.
Festival Open Space at Grandview Parkway and Union Street
6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Bingo
One of America's great pastimes features cash prizes.
Open Space Park East at the corner of Grandview Parkway and Marina Drive
6 p.m.-7 p.m.
Cherry Pit Spit Contest
In cooperation with 95.5 FM — The Zone
The tradition of the Cherry Pit Spit Contest continues! Join the fun and win daily prizes of award-winning cherry product selections and more. Daily finalists are asked to return at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 12, for the final Pit Spit-Off. Register on-site. Free.
Festival Open Space at Grandview Parkway and Union Street
6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Cherry Bing Swing Dance
In cooperation with Lite 96 Radio
A high-energy dance presented by Judy Harrison and her Swing Shift band at the historic City Opera House located in the heart of downtown Traverse City.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a cash bar and snacks, swing dance lessons beginning on the floor at 7 p.m. and a concert performed by Swing Shift will begin at 8 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call the City Opera House at 941-8082.
City Opera House, 106 E. Front St., Traverse City
6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Cherryland Band Classic — MACBDA Championships
Sponsored by Fifth Third Bank
Featuring the Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association Championships! You will see High School Marching Bands from the Midwest and Canada competing to be the best in the Midwest. Tickets are $15 for the 50 yard-line and $12 from the 40 to 10 yard-lines. Children under 10 are $10. To order tickets, call the Cherry Festival at (800) 968-3380 or 947-4230.
Thirlby Field at Running Wise Stadium, 13th Street, Traverse City
7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Queen's Coronation Ball and Royale Gala
Sponsored by Huntington Bank and Younkers
Join us for an evening with a Renaissance flair and meet the four candidates competing to be the 2008-09 National Cherry Queen. A special guest appearance will be made by Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund. Black tie suggested for the Ball. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner served at 7 p.m., program at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $40. Specials for visiting royalty. Call the Cherry Festival at 947-4230 for details.
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, 6300 U.S. 31 North, Acme
7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Seniors' Euchre Tournament
Sponsored by Traverse City Light & Power and Traverse City Record-Eagle
No reservations necessary, come and enjoy an evening of cards. Must be 50 and older. Prizes awarded to high and low finishers. Refreshments provided. Fee required.
Traverse City Senior Center, 801 E. Front St.
National Cherry Festival
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