This coming weekend marks the beginning of the 96th annual National Cherry Festival, and like most local Northern Michiganders we could not be more excited to join in the fun. The festival begins Saturday, July 2nd and runs the entirety of the week through Saturday July 9th, with numerous events occurring daily. The majority of our team is ensconced in the young-families-at-home stage of life, so we are especially drawn toward the festival’s family-friendly events. Here are a handful of the events we are most looking forward to attending:
1. Beach Volleyball 2-Person Tournaments
WHEN: Sat. July 2nd & Sun. July 3rd
TIME: 9:00 am.
WHERE: West End Beach Volleyball Courts.
Team sign-in will begin at 8:15-8:30 am daily, with play beginning promptly at 9:00 am.
Space is limited.
2. Arnold’s Amusements Midway
WHEN: Sat. July 2nd- Sat. July 9th
TIME: Opens daily 11:00 am-11:00 pm.
WHERE: Corner of Grandview Parkway & Union St.
3. Kids Bubble Gum Blowing Contest
WHEN: Sat. July 2nd-Sat. July 9th
TIME: 1:00 pm daily.
WHERE: Kids Club, in Clinch Park.
4. Airshow (featuring US Navy Blue Angels)
WHEN: Sat. July 2nd & Sun. July 3rd
TIME: 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm
WHERE: Open Space Park
One unique way to view the airshow is by reserving seating atop the Hotel Indigo. Their rooftop deck bar features an amazing, unobstructed view of the show! Seating is limited so reserve your seats here.
5. Kids Cherry Teddy Bear Tea
WHEN: Sun. July 3rd
WHAT TIME: 3:30 pm-5:00 pm.
WHERE: F&M Park.
Kids can bring a teddy bear and a blanket for a fun afternoon in the park featuring story telling, teddy bear crafts, and an afternoon tea party with other kids and their teddy bears.
6. Kids Cherry Pie Eating Contest
WHEN: Mon. July 4th- Fri. July 8th
TIME: 1:00-3:00 pm.
WHERE: F&M Park.
Kids pre-school age to 12 years old compete, with the youngest group participating first. Arrive 15 minutes prior to register your child.
7. Festival Fireworks
WHEN: Mon. July 4th
WHAT TIME: 10:30 pm.
Watch nearly 100 “dog athletes” and their proud owner/trainers compete for advancement in the regional competition or register your own flying fido to win!
WHERE: Open Space Park.
8. Ultimate Air Dogs
WHEN: Thurs. July 7th-Sat. July 9th
TIME: 10:00 am-1:00 pm.
WHERE: Open Space Park.
9. Kids Sand Sculpture Contest
WHEN: Fri. July 8th
TIME: 9:00 am.
WHERE: Sunset Park Beach.
Watch kids create a sand sculpture and use only items found on the beach to decorate their sculpture!
Event is free, age divisions are ages 3 to 5 (9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.), Ages 6 to 8 (9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.), Ages 9 to 12 (10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.), Groups with ages 3 to 12 (10:30 a.m. to noon).
10. Cherry Royale Parade
WHEN: Sat. July 9th
TIME: 11:15 am- 1:00 pm.
WHERE: Route starts on Front Street to Union Street, and ends on 13th Street.
Enjoy clowns, floats, marching bands, & more! We will be at our 500 S. Union Street location taking in all the sights & sounds the parade has to offer!
11. Boyz 2 Men
WHEN: Sat. July 9th
TIME: 6:00 pm.
WHERE: Open Space Park at Bayside Music Stage.
For the complete list of 2022 National Cherry Festival Events, and all event information and tickets, click here.
Your Turn
What are YOU looking forward to? Are you going to participate in Cherry Festival events or stay completely out of the fray? Drop us a comment below.
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