While the cherries at Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival get all the hype with many local farmers selling local cherries, there will also be many dishes served by local restaurants and vendors at this year’s festival. Stop by any of these foodie events to taste-test authentic Northern Michigan food and drinks. These foodie events at the National Cherry Festival are sure to make your Northern Michigan vacation every bit as enjoyable and interesting as the dishes you try.
Tickets to select events are available for purchase at CherryFestival.org.
Farmers Market Brunch
Start off America’s Birthday by celebrating with a tasty morning brunch of great local dishes at Sara Hardy Farmers Market—at the Old Town Parking Deck. Meals will be prepared at nearby Roaming Harvest & Blue Heron and will feature ingredients from the farmers market plus meat from local Maxbauer Specialty Meat Market. A purchase at the market will get you a discount on brunch. The Farmers Market Brunch is Saturday, July 4th at 7:00 am. Get the details here.
Very Cherry Pancake Breakfast
Come out early to the Festival Open Space Park and enjoy some delicious pancakes, sausage, coffee, milk and juice. The breakfast will feature locally sourced Herkners cherry topping and Out of the Woods Farm maple syrup. The Very Cherry Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, July 4th at 8:00 am.
Tickets to the Very Cherry Pancake Breakfast are available at CherryFestival.org.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
Blues, Brews & BBQ returns to the Hagerty Center for its second year where again you can enjoy local microbrews and BBQ while watching the U.S Navy Blue Angels’ Show. All of the food is locally sourced so be sure to come out and taste the best BBQ around. Blues, Brews & BBQ is Saturday, July 4th at 1:15 pm.
Tickets to Blues, Brews & BBQ are available at CherryFestival.org.
Beer Tent
Come to the Beer Tent any day of the festival to enjoy beer or wine from Northern Michigan. This year’s Beer Tent will showcase a Pure Michigan menu of craft beers and ciders with an entire tap trailer dedicated to featuring Michigan’s local brewers. The Beer Tent is July 4th at 12:00 pm and every day at the same time of the festival.
Great American Picnic
Return again to the Hagerty Center to experience delicious cherry inspired picnic food prepared by local chefs. While enjoying your meal you will also be able to watch the U.S Air Force Thunderbirds as they perform over West Grand Traverse Bay. The Great American Picnic is Sunday, July 5th at 1:15 pm.
Tickets to the Great American Picnic are available at CherryFestival.org.
Princess Tea
Dress in your favorite royal attire as you will be able to meet and have tea with 2014-2015 National Cherry Queen Chelsea Lajko and her Royal Court. The event will take place at the Hagerty Center and will feature tea, coffee and cherry lemonade and a bakery buffet. The Princess Tea is Monday, July 6th at 10:30 am.
Paddle for Pints
Sign up to experience a brewery pub crawl down the Boardman River with your local beer loving neighbors and friends. You will be able to visit six breweries along the Boardman River on your SUP, kayak or canoe and experience the great brewing Northern Michigan has to offer. Paddle for Pints starts at 11:00 am on Monday, July 6th.
Festival to Farm Food Truck
Enjoy a wonderful Northern Michigan afternoon in the Festival Open Space and stop by the Goodwill food truck for some tasty eats. All the food on the truck is locally sourced by Cherry Capital Foods here in Traverse City. The Festival to Farm Food Truck is on Wednesday, July 8th at 4:00 pm.
Sara Hardy Farmers Market
When searching for locally grown products during the festival, there is no place better than the Sara Hardy Farmers Market. The farmer’s market will feature local produce, baked goods, and plants, plus the first 100 people to arrive get $5 off their purchase. The Sara hardy Farmers Market is on Wednesday, July 8th at 8:00 am.
Find more information on CherryFestival.org.