Broom Closet Boys
BEST. CHERRY FEST. EVER. THE TOP 10 MUST-DOS TO TAKE YOUR CHERRY FEST EXPERIENCE OVER THE TOP
By Al Parker & Lynda Wheatley It’s been a long time coming, but the National Cherry Festival 2021 promises to be one of the most interesting in years – combining much-loved classic attractions — like Arnold’s Amusements Midway, the Gold Pin Program, and the Cherry Farm Market — and some new activities. Here are 10 events you won’t want to miss: Start Your Engines (Or Watch ’Em Roll) Get a head-start on the fun at the Old Town Classic Car Cruise on July 2, a day before the official start of the festivities. If you own a classic or just appreciate their workmanship, it’s a great chance to see these beauties as they roll along the route. They’ll gather at Turtle Creek Casino at 5pm, and the cruise takes off an hour later. The route takes cruisers west on M-72, then north on US-31. In Elk Rapids, they’ll head east on Ames Street to Cairn Highway and on to Cherry Ave. The cars and motorcycles roll on to Crystal Beach Road NW to Aarwood Road, then to Rapid City Road NW. It’s a short trip south to M-72 and back westward to the casino. Many of these same classics
will be at the Old Town Classic Car Show on July 4 at the Grand Traverse Commons. Stroll — or Scroll — the Neighborhood For the second year in a row, participating downtown homes — porches, yards, windows, and more — will be decked out for the Consumers Energy Very Cherry Porch Parade. The theme: cherries, of course. Don your walking shoes and stroll the residential neighborhood south of State Street starting noon July 3 and running through midnight July 10 (a map is available under the Events/Free Family Fun tabs at cherryfestival.org), or scroll Facebook or Instagram posts with the hashtag #verycherryporchparadecontest. Expect a lot from entrants; they’ll be vying for a first-place prize based on the best use of cherries. All others will be awarded prizes at random. Winners will be announced after July 12. Jam with the Bands So the Bay Side Music Stage Concert series won’t be jamming with giant acts and even bigger crowds this summer, but that doesn’t mean this is the year the music died.
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In fact, every night from 7:30pm to 10pm, a new band or performer will play the National Cherry Festival music stage. The jams start July 3 with The Timebombs — TC’s own four-piece party-pop band that boasts a ukulele player yet somehow specializes in ’90s songs you forgot you loved. Taking the stage July 4 is all-Americana folk-rock trio Stone Folk, and on July 5, the Texas-Eric Church-Reckless Kelly-influenced Drew Hale (who’s shared a stage with the likes of Tim McGraw). July 6, 7, 8, and 9 brings the five-piece outfit Bad Jam, Jack Pine, The Broom Closet Boys, and Protea respectively. Closing out the concerts: multi-platinum guitarist-produced Kenny Olson. Shop Till you Drop A festival favorite, the Arts & Crafts Fair is set for July 4 from 9 am to 5 pm, but this year, it’ll be in a far less crowded location — the vast grounds of The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. This year, the juried show will feature more than 100 artisans from across the Midwest, easy-to-access shade under the campus’ trees — and lots of dining, drinking, and shopping options around The Village and inside the Mercato.
Get a Shot So You Don’t Drop For the first time ever, the GT County Health Department will be on hand to give Cherry Festival attendees a real shot in the arm: a one-and-done dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, available 11am to 3:30pm July 6, 7, and 10 and 2pm to 6pm July 8 and 9, all at the Open Space. If you haven’t got yours yet and want one, now’s your nohassle chance. Bag It Not only is there such a thing as Cornhole America, it’s sponsoring the officially sanctioned National Cherry Festival Cornhole Tournament planned for this year’s Cherry Fest, in the beer tent. In true Midwest spirit, holding a beer in one hand is allowed — and most Northerners’ ability to do so suggests competition will be fierce at this event, which runs noon to 6pm July 7. Crowds can expect a roundrobin format where each team of two plays four games randomly against opponents. A team’s record and points difference will determine seeding for a two-tier doubleelimination tourney. Cash prizes go to both tiers’ top three teams, and organizers
