Greetings from the National Cherry Festival

There have been few times in our near 100-year history that the National Cherry Festival has not come together to put on a wonderful celebration of cherries, and in those rare instances it was always to support the community and protect the region. 

In these unprecedented times, it is for those same reasons, and with heavy hearts, the decision has been made to postpone the National Cherry Festival to July 3rd-10th, 2021” stated Kat Paye, National Cherry Festival Executive Director.

The safety and health of our entire community, guests, volunteers, and staff is our first priority and always top of mind when making our decisions. We did not make this decision lightly. At each and every step we took into account not only the time and effort that goes into planning this festival, but also the impact on the economy of our area. However, with the uncertainty of the times, we are unable to be fully confident in the fact that it will be safe to gather and celebrate the first week of July 2020.

“Not only is the Festival a beloved national tradition, it’s a key economic driver for our region. It’s painful to see organizers cancel the 2020 event, but prioritizing the health and safety of festival goers, volunteers and the community is the honorable thing to do”, said Trevor Tkach, President and CEO of Traverse City Tourism.

We appreciate the support of local community leaders and organizations, with this difficult decision. We know that it is the correct decision for the community and to ensure the celebration of cherries can go on for the next 100 years. With this decision made we can pivot our energy to assist the community in its time of need and we urge everyone to do the same. For those who have bought tickets or registered for a race at the 2020 festival, information regarding these purchases will come in the following days. We thank you for you your support during this time.

I have included our official press release, photos, and a video that shares our thoughts during this difficult time.

The National Cherry Festival appreciate your continued partnership in sharing our news each and every year.  Thank you, and please stay safe and healthy.  We look forward to celebrating and supporting our Cherry industry during harvest and well beyond as we look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.

I am happy to coordinate interview opportunities with our Executive Director Kat Paye.  Please call, text, or email me if I can assist you in any way as you share this news.

Best,   Susan

Susan Wilcox Olson, Media Consult

National Cherry Festival

231-590-5930 cell

Susan@cherryfestival.org