National Cherry Festival

FIRST FESTIVAL
-- Held in 1926


ANNUAL ATTENDANCE
-- Over 500,000 over eight days


PROGRAM
-- 150 events and activities (85 percent are free)


SOURCES OF INCOME
-- Event Sponsors, Local Membership, ticket sales


MISSION OF FESTIVAL
-- The mission of the National Cherry Festival is to celebrate cherries, tourism and community involvement.


PROMOTION
Through promotional material, including regionally and nationally distributed brochures; news releases; feature stories in national media; National Cherry Queen tours and appearances; interchange with other major festivals in the country; 60,000 Festival week programs; Midwest media blitzes; highway billboards personal presentations


OPERATION OF FESTIVAL
-- Minimum of 35,000 volunteer hours and 10,000 staff hours each year


FESTIVAL EXPENDITURES
-- Over 75 percent of dollars spent by Festival remain in the area


ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS
-- International Festival and Event Association; Michigan Festival and Events Association
-- Mid-American Competing Band Directors Association



FESTIVAL PUBLICATIONS
-- "Cherry Creations -- The Ultimate Cherry Cookbook" (distributed nationally)
-- "Hidden Cherries" -- Mackinac Island Press


RECOGNITION
-- Top Ten Events by USA Today, 1999, 1998, 1997
-- Embassy of Michigan Tourism Award -- 1976
-- Governor's Declaration honoring the Festival's 50th anniversary -- 1976
-- Joint Resolution honoring the Festival's 50th anniversary by Michigan House and Senate -- 1976
-- Publication awards, national competition -- 1972, 1975, 1978, and 1982
-- Annually rated in top 100 Festivals and Events in North America by the A.B.A.
-- Named Michigan's favorite Festival by AAA Michigan Living Magazine Page two -- Circulation: 1,000,000


SPECIAL GUESTS & DIGNITARIES

Miss America, Kirsten Haglund -- 2008
Dallas Drake, Detroit Red Wings -- 2008
Carter Oosterhouse - HGTV & TLC -- 2007
NASA Astronaut, Jerry Linenger-- 2003
Governor, Jennifer Granholm -- 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007
Bryan McElwain, NY Firefighter Co. Engine #201 -- 2002
Paris Children's Choir-- 2000
Leave it to Beaver's Jerry Mathers -- 1998
Beverly Hillbillies, Donna Douglas -- 1998
Good Morning America Weatherman, Spencer Christian -- 1989, 1993, 1998
U.S. Navy Blue Angels -- 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
Stanley Cup Goalie, Detroit Red Wing Kevin Hodson -- 1997
Brigadier General ,George K. Anderson -- 1992
Phoenix Suns Dan Majerle -- 1991
PGA Touring Professional Dan Pohl -- 1989
Former Astronaut James Lovell -- 1985
From Disney World, Orlando FL:
Goofy -- 1987
Minnie Mouse -- 1986
Donald Duck -- 1985
Mickey Mouse -- 1984
Budweiser Clydesdales -- 1984, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2003
Today Show Weatherman Willard Scott -- 1983
Hockey great Gordie Howe -- 1982
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds -- 1978, 1990
Bob Hope -- 1978
President Gerald R. Ford -- 1975


Entertainment Benefits


Kids
-- Free events for kids
-- Cherry pie eating, Turtle Races, Pet Show, Sand Sculpture, Junior Arts/Crafts, Midway,
Prince/Princess Program, and Kids Parade


Special Kids
-- Only event like it in the Midwest
-- Provides mentally and physically challenged kids all types of activities. Past activities include:
Elephant Laura rides, carnival midway, "fun and games" program in the Open Space Park


Seniors
-- Lots of activities for seniors
-- Golf, shuffleboard, bowling, Euchre


Families
-- Open Space Park: Entertainment Stage, Cherry Farm Market, Air Shows, Food and Beverage,
Souvenirs, Fireworks
-- Downtown: Junior Royale and Cherry Royale Parades, Cherries Grand Buffet
-- Other: Family Car and Truck Show