Traverse City National Cherry Festival: From the opening pancake breakfast to the beer tent on the last day, the National Cherry Festival serves up foodie events all week long! With events like the cherry pie make-and-bake, cherry pie eating contest, and the popular global wine and beer garden, there’s something delicious waiting for festival-goers of all ages.
Presidential Cherry Pancake Breakfast
July 7, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.
Nothing starts the week better than a good breakfast! Join the National Cherry Festival Poobahs at the Traverse City Open Space for pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and juice, plus a chance to meet the Air Show Pilots.
Beer Tent
Open 12:00-11:00 p.m. every day of the National Cherry Festival
Cool off with a cold one and enjoy views from “Traverse City’s Coolest Bar on the Bay” at the 21+ beer tent. Choose from local and regional beers, wine and more to sip, an enjoy views of West Grand Traverse Bay, all while listening to nightly entertainment streaming from the Bay Side Music Stage! The Beer Tent Stage will also feature live music throughout the afternoon and happy hour.
Cherry Connection: Bringing Together Festival, Farm, and Fruit
July 9th-13, 2012 10:00 a.m.
Visit a 100 acre productive orchard in beautiful Leelanau County, where fruit and festival come together at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station operated by Michigan State University Extension. Besides the guided orchard tours, there are exhibits and samples of the newest cherry products and technology inside the station. There are all sorts of “cherry” fun for the kids, including a petting zoo, hands-on experiments, kids poster coloring contest and many other activities.
Global Wine and Beer Garden
July 11-13, 2012 5:00 p.m.
Another regional wine event? Far from it. The National Cherry Festival will feature a ‘Global Wine and Beer Garden,’ housing a superb collection of local domestic and international wines, as well as artisan beers. Complementing the collection of wines, a selection of imported cheeses, cured meats, and other authentic foods saluting major grape growing regions of the world.
Grand Traverse Pie Make and Bake
July 12, 2012 10:00am
Make your very own Signature Cherry Pie at the National Cherry Festival, bake it and take it home with you! Kids 12 and under are welcome…first come first accommodated! A $3 donation can be made to help support the Traverse Bay Childrens Advocacy Center.
Cherries Grand Buffet
July 13, 2012Â 12:00 p.m.
Celebrate Northern Michigan’s super-fruit at the Cherries Grand Buffet, a ‘Farm to Fork’ Culinary Experience featuring generations of cherry recipes collected from farming families, at Traverse City’s Park Place Hotel.
Adult Cherry Pie Eating Contest
July 13, 2012 5:00 p.m.
Feel like a kid again and dive into a slice of cherry pie! The first one to finish their slice wins! Prizes awarded. No registration fee.