The Blue Angels will headline the 98th annual National Cherry Festival. What to know
The Blue Angels are gearing up to headline the 98th annual National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan, this weekend.
The eight-day festival doesn't officially kick off until Saturday but preparations began with intermittent familiarization flights Tuesday afternoon, and the Blue Angels held circle and arrival practice sessions Thursday, which allows the team to mark the show's coordinates prior to the official air show.
The National Cherry Festival air show will also feature a variety of other aerobatic performers, including military teams like the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team, the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City and Michigan Army National Guard, plus civilian acts.
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Here's what to know about the National Cherry Festival ahead of the Blue Angels' performance.
What is the National Cherry Festival?
The National Cherry Festival is pretty close to what the name implies – the celebration of all things cherry. According to the event's website, Michigan accounts for about 75% of the U.S. cherry production, so cherries are a big deal.
To celebrate, Traverse City, known as the "Cherry Capital of the World," holds an annual festival that draws in thousands of visitors from around the world to celebrate the harvest and eat cherries. Since it began nearly 100 years ago, the event has grown to incorporate the air show, parades, races, family-friendly events and even concerts from musical acts like the Stone Temple Pilots, Bret Michaels and the Goo Goo Dolls (all performing this year).
When is the National Cherry Festival?
There are so many things to do at the National Cherry Festival that it has to be spread out for eight days. This year, the festival will run from June 29 to July 6. Like Disney World, you could go every day and find something new to see and experience. Check out the full calendar of events here.
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When do the Blue Angels fly at the National Cherry Festival air show?
The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Is the National Cherry Festival free to attend?
Yes! However, you can enhance your experience by purchasing tickets for various seating options.
Picnic at the Park: For $95, you can watch the 2024 National Cherry Festival air show from the 10th floor of the Tower at the Park Place Hotel & Conference Center. Enjoy an array of appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts served alongside two adult beverages in a fully enclosed, air-conditioned venue.
Flight Deck: Flight Deck tickets allow you to enjoy the Blue Angels from the best seat in the show. Depending on which package you purchase, you’ll have access to reserved seating at a table or general admission in a stadium-style open seating area. You can also enjoy lunch, which includes Bubba’s BBQ pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, chips, cherry pie and soda. Early bird general admission tickets are $40, reserved tickets are $46, and kids ages 4-12 are $20. Ticket prices go up after June 14: $51 for reserved seating, $45 for general admission for adults and $25 for general admission for kids.
Great American Picnic: Head over to the Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College Maritime Academy for the Great American Picnic. You can watch the Blue Angels perform over the West Grand Traverse Bay while enjoying cherry-inspired picnic food. Tickets range from $25-$50.
The Flight Path at Delamar: For a more upscale experience, dine on the edge of Grand Traverse Bay at this exclusive event hosted by Delamar Traverse City. Tickets are $145 per person and offer premium seating, a chef-prepared meal, and two adult beverages.
The Indigo View Airshow is already sold out.
Click here for more National Cherry Festival air show ticket info.
Where can you see the Blue Angels fly at the National Cherry Festival air show?
If you want to watch the Blue Angels perform but don’t want to deal with large crowds, you can still watch the performance from beaches and shorelines around West Grand Traverse Bay.
How can you listen to the National Cherry Festival air show?
Tune in to 107.5 WCCW to hear the air show announcers.
Where can you park for the National Cherry Festival air show?
Show organizers have provided a great list of parking options that are either right on the festival grounds, are within walking distance or have access to a shuttle service.
Main Festival Grounds & Bayside Music Stage (Open Space Park)
Where: 106 W. Grandview Parkway
Parking is located throughout downtown Traverse City and is managed by the city of Traverse City. The city boasts several parking garages as well as street parking. For more information on parking in Traverse City, visit this website. The National Cherry Festival also offers free shuttle service in cooperation with Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA).
F&M Park
Where: 716 E. State St.
Street Parking is available. Biking to F&M Park is available on the TART Trail. This approximately an eight block walk from the Open Space Park and a four block walk from the Hardy Parking Garage.
Grand Traverse Commons
Where: 1200 W. 11th St.
Onsite parking is available. The Bata Bayline also has stops to this location.
Michigan State University Horticulture Research Station
Where: 6686 S. Center Highway
Shuttles are available for the Orchard Tour and More event held at this location and there is some limited parking.
Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College
Where: 715 E. Front St.
Limited parking is available.
Grand Traverse County Civic Center
Where: 1213 W. Civic Center Drive
Parking is available.
Shuttle service at the National Cherry Festival
The Bayline shuttle will run every 18 to 20 minutes each day throughout the festival. The main pick up areas are Woodland Creek (east), the Cherry Lot at Northwestern Michigan College (central) and Meijer (west) Parking Lot, adjacent to the Car Wash. You can check the daily schedule here.
Shuttles will drop off riders at the Bay Area Transportation Authority's (BATA) Hall Street Transfer Station. From the station, you can follow the posted signs to return to where you were originally picked up. A map of the Bayline route can be found here.
Who is performing at the National Cherry Festival air show?
The Blue Angels
A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team
Horsemen Flight Team
U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City
Michigan Army National Guard
Michael Goulian
GhostWriter - Nathan K Hammond
RJ Gritter
Mike
Can you boat to the National Cherry Festival air show?
Yes, but the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Marine Sector, in cooperation with the FAA, has issued a Marine Permit that authorizes restrictions on boating during the show.
There will be patrol vessels enforcing restricted areas and the time frame for the restrictions are subject to change. Right now, the restrictions will be in place from noon to 1:30 p.m. on June 29 and 1-4 p.m. on June 30 to July 2.
The restricted area will be marked by buoys. Patrol vessels will begin moving boaters out of the area at approximately 11:30 a.m.
Boaters should monitor the situation by tuning into the Notice to Marine broadcasts on channel 16.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Blue Angels headline 98th National Cherry Festival. What to know