What began as an informal “blessing of the blossoms” ceremony in 1910 has become a weeklong celebration of the cherry including over 150 events, also known as the National Cherry Festival. This annual event is held in Traverse City, usually starting the first Saturday in July. 2011’s festival begins July 2^nd, and ends on July 9^th.

Traverse City and the coastal areas of the northwest Lower Peninsula have a long history with the cherry. In 1852, Presbyterian minister Peter Dougherty planted his first cherry trees on Old Mission Peninsula. Surprisingly, the cherries did very well. The climate is ideal for growing cherries – Lake Michigan tempers the arctic winds in the winter, and cools the orchards in summer.

Michigan’s commercial cherry production began in the 1890’s, and by the early 1900’s, the tart cherry industry was firmly established in the state. Michigan produces 75% of the tart cherries grown in the United States. The primary variety grown is the Montmorency. This fruit is excellent for pies, preserves, and juice. A new variety of the tart cherry is the Balatan, developed by Dr. Amy Iezzoni at Michigan State University.

The other type of cherry grown in the U.S. is the sweet cherry. This is primarily grown in the northwest states of the U.S. – with 60% of the sweet cherry crop found in Oregon and Washington. Three varieties of the sweet cherry make up 95% of production – Bing, Lambert, and Rainier. Overall, the United States cherry industry produces 650 million pounds per year.

The tart cherry industry is a vital part of the northwest Lower Peninsula’s financial well-being, and as such, it is understandable why the cherry farmers started the “blessing of the blossoms” in 1910. In 1925, Traverse City businesses partnered with local cherry farmers to promote the industry with the Blessings of the Blossoms Festival. In 1926, the festival was already being attended by national dignitaries. That year, Hawkins Bakery presented a cherry pie 3 feet in diameter, and containing over 5,000 cherries to visiting President Calvin Coolidge.

By 1929 the festival was so popular, the one-day event was turned into a three-day event, and the opening ceremonies were attended by then-President Herbert Hoover. In 1931 the event was officially deemed a national celebration by the Michigan Legislature.

Since that time the festival has grown to a five-day celebration in 1964, and then finally became a week-long festival in 1968. While the length of the festival has remained one week, the events occurring during the festival continue to grow. This year there are over 150 events taking place for the 500,000+ attendees, including a cherry spitting contest, Royale Parades, music, a Princess Tea, and more fun events for all ages.

If you have a blast at the National Cherry Festival, and are looking for more fruit festivals to attend this summer, here is a list of the upcoming fruit festivals in 2011.

• 63^rd Copper Country Strawberry Festival
  July 8-9, 2011
  Chassell
  It’s the berries! The famous shortcake stars, and there’s a fish boil, arts and crafts, Chicken BBQ, French toast breakfast, parade, and more strawberry shortcake.  

• 48^th National Blueberry Festival
  August 11-14, 2011
  South Haven
  Get your fill of blueberry pancakes, enter the blueberry cook-off, take in the art show, entertainment, parade, munch fresh blueberries, and otherwise appreciate this important Michigan crop. 

• Montrose Blueberry Festival
  August 18-21, 2011
  Montrose
  The 40^th annual event features an all-you-can-eat blueberry pancake breakfasts, blueberry pies and baked goods, plus a blueberry pie eating contest and a full calendar of fun events. 

• Howell Melon Festival
  August 19-21, 2011
  Howell                                                                                                                                                                      
  Dance at the Melon Ball, sample melon ice cream and melon wine, and enjoy a variety of events honoring the local fruit crop. 

• Wild Blueberry Festival
  August 19-21, 2011
  Paradise
  The famous Blueberry Brunch and Blueberry Jamboree are highlights of the salute to the berries found throughout the area.

• Michigan Peach Festival
  September 1-5, 2011
  Romeo
  A peachy celebration of the local fruit includes a packed schedule of events, from a fun run to a talent competition, bed race, car show, night parade, floral parade, and peach pie, of course. 

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Tagged as: National Cherry Festival, Traverse City

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