82nd National Cherry Festival Begins
Blue Angels kick off the National Cherry Festival tonight.
It’s one day early, but Traverse City is ready to celebrate our Independence Day in cherry festival grand style. Tonight the Blue Angels will make a special evening appearance before the fireworks over west Grand Traverse bay. Downtown Traverse City is canvased with festival tents for vendors and events of all types for the week long festival.
There are several new events this year including Cherry Idol, a spin-off of the well known TV show American Idol, Dancin’ at the Dome and the new V-pass which provides entry into all the festival entertainment for a small fee. There are too many events and activiities to mention, but you can learn all about it on their website www.cherryfestival.org.
This year’s commemorative print was created by D.B Henkel. It’s made from milk-based “paint”, a timeless and unusual art process.
With their tasting room still under construction Forty-Five North needed a place for wine lovers to sample their growing list of award-winning wines. The Cherry Stop, on Front Street in Traverse City, offered the perfect solution. Their new wine bar allows guests to sample wines by flight, as an individual taste, or even by the glass.
The JELD-WEN Reliable Lighthouse Restoration Initiative will award one winning light with new windows, and it’s up to the communities to decide. The Grand Traverse Lighthouse on the Leelanau peninsula is one of 12 remaining nominees. So we ask everyone to log on and vote now. One vote per person, so spread the word.
My first trip was a publicity tour for local media and members of the tourism industry. I knew only a handful of the passengers, and the boat was close to capacity. We sailed on a clear but cool evening in June. Once aboard the ship you quickly become part of the crew. In fact, this new crew has one major responsibility: raising the sails. It took two teams on either side of the ship, some to Heave, and some to Ho. The large ropes quickly pile up on deck as you watch the sails slowly work their way up the giant wooden mast. The seasoned deck hands take care of the hard work, and it’s really a lot of fun to participate.
The second trip, not even a week later as it happened, was altogether different. A friend chose to spend her birthday aboard the Tall Ship, and invited several families to join her. Since this was an afternoon sail I took my oldest son with me, while my husband slaved away at work. There were twelve of us in the group, more than half were children under 6 years old, along with many other passengers on a hot and sticky afternoon. The breeze had started to pick up so we were counting on putting the sails to good use. We had no idea.
The Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theater in Honor, Michigan is celebrating 55 years and still going strong. In the years since their opening in 1953 they’ve made many additions and improvements. While they still have the original carbon arc antique projectors they now use modern projectors with Xenon gas bulbs. The sound system still consists of vaccum tube motiograph amplifiers which power the speakers at each parking space for a truly authentic experience. Or, you can tune in to their own FM station and hear every nostalgic note through your interior car speakers. Either way the experience is exceptional.
If you’ve wandered into the popular cherry store this spring you’ve probably noticed some changes. Owners Nick and Jamie Roster took on a few renovations, and some minor construction to create a fabulous new resource for wine lovers and area wineries alike. Their Northern Michigan Wine Bar will feature wine selections from over 20 local wineries. Guests will have the opportunity to taste and compare wines in flights or by the glass.
With an ever growing number of area wineries, and countless wines available, the Rosters plan to feature new wines and wineries on a rotating basis. Future opportunities include special events with the winemakers, featured tastings, and food pairings including cheese and desserts from local businesses.
Friday May 30 & Saturday May 31
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, in Traverse City, Michigan, will host the Second Annual “Putting for Patriots” fundraiser on Sunday, May 25, 2008. This national event will occur simultaneously at 35 Pirate’s Cove, Pirate’s Island and Jungle Golf miniature golf courses throughout the United States.
Mealtickets is proud to welcome Wilderness Crossings to our little card family. If you haven’t heard the buzz about Traverse City’s newest attraction, then let us be the first to fill you in. Located near Chums Corners, on US 31 is 34,000 square feet of family fun. There is so much to do at Wilderness Crossing you’ll need to plan on plenty of time to explore.
Mealtickets is proud to welcome The Village at Grand Traverse Commons to our family of advertisers. If you always driven past the big stone pyramid at the corner of Division and 11th Street, but you’ve never ventured in, now is a great time. The redevelopment of the former State Hospital grounds has uncovered a treasure just waiting to be discovered.
