The National Cherry Festival is June 29 through July 6 this year.

Traverse City, MI - Beginning in May of 1925 as the Blessing of the Blossoms Festival to attract tourists to Northern Michigan, over the years it evolved into the National Cherry Festival, and moved to July to take advantage of the Independence Day holiday.

Every year more than 500,000 attendees enjoy the National Cherry Festival, which is now in its 92nd year. Families can enjoy many kinds of activities from cherry pit spitting and pie eating contests, to the Grand Royale Parade in which the newly crowned Cherry Queen greets the crowds. Of the over 150 events and activities, about 85% are free of charge.