There are many small-town cherry celebrations in the United States, but the
aforementioned Traverse City, Michigan’s annual National Cherry Festival takes
the (cherry cheese)cake. The first Festival was held there in 1926, originating
from a springtime custom called “The Blessing of the Blossoms.” Now, the
eight-day event, held in early July, draws 500,000 people per year and brings
in a staggering twenty-six million dollars in revenue. It boasts 150
different activities and events for people from all walks of life – parades,
contests, and air shows, to name a few – and, of course, many creative ways to
enjoy cherries!
No matter how you eat (or drink!) your cherries, you’ve got to admit –
there’s no finer fruit than this little powerhouse. It’s compact, it’s
portable, it’s healthy, it’s beautiful, and it’s tasty. What more could you
want … except for maybe a longer growing season?