Traversing Traverse City

Courtesy photo The National Cherry Festival begins on July 1 and continues through July 8. In this courtesy photo, one of the festivalŐs three parades is shown.

TRAVERSE CITY - Professional baseball, festivals, wine tasting and access to one of the Great Lakes are just a few of the attractions of this northern Michigan city.

Traverse City is less than 60 miles from Cadillac and the sky is the limit when it comes to entertainment opportunities.

One of the yearly attractions is the National Cherry Festival and it is considered the signature summer event of Traverse City. The festival starts Saturday and continues through July 8.

The festival includes more than 150 family activities, parades, cherry pit spit and pie eating contests. Likewise, there are amusement rides, fireworks and nightly concerts. Of course the festivals namesake also will be available in various edible or drinkable concoctions.

Media Relations for Traverse City Convention and Visitor Center Mike Norton said the cherry festival is a big draw but there are other things within the area too.

One of those attractions is multitude of wineries on the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas.

“We have 20 wineries and all but a couple have a tour,” he said. The nice thing about the Old Mission Peninsula is it is only 20 miles long. You could do that all within a fairly short time, an afternoon.”

Another option could be taking an adventure on one of the many tall ships.

These tall ships or big schooners, sloops and frigates played an important role in the history of the Great Lakes. Some are historical replicas of 18th and 19th century ships, available for dockside tours and rides around the Bay.

“They have summer day classes. You can maroon you and your family on an island and you play pirate and find treasure. They also have a nighttime astronomy cruises,” Norton said.

After a day on one of the tall ships, visitors to Traverse City could take in a professional baseball game. The Traverse City Beach Bums are in the inaugural season at Wuerfel Park and a ticket to the game will not cost a lot.

For movie aficionados there is the Traverse City Film Festival.

The 2nd annual film festival will have more films, days, venues and activities than last year's event. This includes more parties and premieres, family and children's films, as well as panel discussions featuring actors, directors, writers and other film industry representatives. The festival is scheduled for Aug. 1 through Aug. 6.

For more information on all these events go to www.mytraversecity.com.

If you go...

€ For more information on the Traverse City Film Festival call (231) 392-1134 or visit www.traversecityfilmfestival.org.

€ Leelanau Winery Listings: Bel Lago Vineyards and Winery, (231) 228-4800; Black Star Farms, (231) 271-4970; Boskydel Vineyards, (231) 256-7272; Chateau de Leelanau, (231) 271-8888; Chateau Fontaine, (231) 256-0000; Ciccone Vineyard, (231) 271-5553; Gill's Pier Vineyard and Winery, (231) 256-7003; Good Harbor Vineyards, (231) 256-7165; L. Mawby Vineyards, (231) 271-3522; Leelanau Wine Cellars, (231) 386-5201; Raftshol Vineyards, (231) 271-5650; Shady Lane Cellars, (231) 947-8865; Willow Vineyards, (231) 271-4810.

€ Old Mission Winery Listings: Bowers Harbor Vineyards, (231) 223-7615; Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery, (231) 223-9303.

€ For more information on tall ships go to www.tallshipsailing.com

€ For more information on the National Cherry Festival go to www.cherryfestival.org/

€ For more information or tickets for the Traverse City Beach Bums go to www.traversecitybeachbums.com.

€ For more information on all these events go to www.mytraversecity.com.

rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com | 775-NEWS (6397)