Schedule:

Meijer Festival of Races Packet Pick up - 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM
Traverse City Central High School - 231-947-4230
Pick up your packet from 3-7pm before the race or the morning of the race from 5:30am to 7:00am

Meijer Festival of Races - 7:00 AM
Traverse City Central High School - 231-947-4230
Imagine...You're lining up with thousands of runners just like you on a beautiful Traverse City morning. You enjoy the picturesque views of Grand Traverse Bay as you push yourself to beat last year's time.

Sara Hardy's Farmers Market - 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Old Town Parking Deck - 231-947-4230
The Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market is THE best place to find locally grown agricultural products. Enjoy local product, baked goods flowers and plants! At the Old Town Parking Deck

Cherry Farm Market - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Open Space Park
Welcome to the 2025 Cherry Farm Market, proudly presented by Ford Insurance Agency in partnership with Freemont Insurance Agency! This year, we're bringing back your favorite vendors from the past alongside exciting new ones.

Festival Open Space Park - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Open Space Park
Immerse yourself in the National Cherry Festival at the main festival grounds locate on West Grand Traverse Bay in the Open Space Park.

Go For The Gold! Pin Program - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Open Space Park
Take home a festival keepsake! Commemorative pins will be available for $5, with the possibility of winning one of the grand prizes. Commemorative pins will also be needed for entry into the beer tent.

Hole-in-One - 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
X-Golf Traverse City
Daily prize for the closest to the pin, qualifiers will return to X-Golf on Saturday for a chance to win $50,000.

Kids Club - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Clinch Park
Join us at Kids' Club, where families can enjoy an array of activities tailored for children of every age group. Our family-friendly event ensures a fun-filled day for all, with engaging experiences designed to spark joy and create long lasting memories.

Official National Cherry Festival Souvenir Tent - 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Open Space Park
Get your Official National Cherry Festival Souvenirs!

Ultimate Air Dogs - 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Open Space Park
The annual National Cherry Festival, Ultimate Air Dogs competition is always a huge success, featuring nearly one hundred "dog athletes" and their proud owner/trainers competing for advancement in the regional competition.

Arnold's Amusements Midway - 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Corner of Grandview Parkway at Union Street
Visit Traverse City's favorite amusement park! See the city from the top of the Ferris Wheel, enjoy the thrill of fast-past rides or try your best to win a prize at one of the many games.

DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade - 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM
Front St to Union Street to 13th Street
Join us in kicking off the National Cherry Festival's final day with the DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade! Enjoy royalty, marching bands, Prince and Princess floats, clowns, specialty entries and much more!

Beer Tent - 12:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Open Space Park
Cool off with a cold one and enjoy views from "Traverse City's Coolest Bar on the Bay!"

Go For the Gold Semifinals Drawing - 3:45 PM, 4:15 PM, 4:45 PM
Lay's Cherry Blast Stage, Open Space Park
Thirty Semifinalist are drawn before the drawing for the grand prize in the Go for the Gold Pin. Ten Semifinalist are drawn at 3:45pm, 4:15pm and 4:45pm.

Go For the Gold Final Drawing - 5:00 PM
Lay's Cherry Blast Stage, Open Space Park
Stop by the Lay's Cherry Blast Stage at 5pm and see who is wins the grand prize in the go for the gold contest!

Adult Cherry Pit Spit Contest - 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Open Space Park
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the record distance is 95 feet and 6.5 inches. See if you can beat the record at the National Cherry Festival! Join the fun and win a trophy! Register on-site, just prior to the 6pm contest. No fee required.

Grand Funk Railroad and 38 Special - 6:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Pepsi Bayside Music Stage presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan - ( 231) 947-4230
Select Seats

Festival Finale Fireworks - 10:30 PM
West Grand Traverse Bay
The National Cherry Festival is thrilled to welcome back the Festival Finale Fireworks!