The Blue Angels are headlining the 98th National Cherry Festival. What you should know
The Blue Angels are preparing to headline the 98th National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan this weekend.
The eight-day festival doesn’t officially begin until Saturday, but preparations began Tuesday afternoon with sporadic familiarization flights, and the Blue Angels held circling and approach practices on Thursday, allowing the team to mark the show’s coordinates before the official air show.
The National Cherry Festival air show will also feature numerous other aerobatic performers, including military teams such as the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demo Team, the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City and the Michigan Army National Guard, as well as civilian performances.
What you should know about the Blue Angels: On your way to your first Blue Angels air show? Find out everything about the team
Here’s everything you need to know about the National Cherry Festival before the Blue Angels perform.
What is the National Cherry Festival?
The National Cherry Festival is pretty much what its name suggests—a celebration of all things cherry. According to the event’s website, about 75% of U.S. cherry production is handled in Michigan, so cherries are a big deal.
To celebrate, Traverse City, known as the “Cherry Capital of the World,” hosts an annual festival that draws thousands of visitors from around the world to celebrate the harvest and eat cherries. Since its inception nearly 100 years ago, the event has grown to include air shows, parades, races, family-friendly events, and even concerts by musical groups such as the Stone Temple Pilots, Bret Michaels, and the Goo Goo Dolls (all this year).
When does the National Cherry Festival take place?
There is so much to do at the National Cherry Festival that it has to be spread over eight days. This year the festival runs from June 29th to July 6th. Like Disney World, you can go every day and see and experience something new. Check out the full calendar of events here.
Blue Angels pilots 2024: Have you ever wondered how to become a pilot or aide with the Blue Angels? Here’s the answer.
When do the Blue Angels fly at the National Cherry Festival Air Show?
The Blue Angels’ performances are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Is admission to the National Cherry Festival free?
Yes! However, you can enhance your experience by purchasing tickets for different seating options.
Picnic in the park: For $95, you can watch the 2024 National Cherry Festival air show from the 10th floor of the Tower at Park Place Hotel & Conference Center. Enjoy a selection of appetizers, salads, entrees and desserts, served along with two alcoholic beverages in a fully enclosed, climate-controlled 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 an open stadium-style seating area. You can also enjoy a lunch that includes Bubba’s BBQ pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, chips, cherry pie and lemonade. Early bird tickets are $40, reserved tickets are $46 and children ages 4-12 are $20. Ticket prices increase after June 14: $51 for reserved seating, $45 for general admission for adults and $25 for general admission for children.
Great American Picnic: Visit Northwestern Michigan College Maritime Academy’s Hagerty Center for the Great American Picnic. You can watch the Blue Angels perform over West Grand Traverse Bay while enjoying cherry-flavored picnic food. Tickets range from $25 to $50.
The flight route at Delamar: For a more exclusive experience, dine on the edge of Grand Traverse Bay at this exclusive event hosted by Delamar Traverse City. Tickets are $145 per person and include premium seating, a chef-prepared meal and two alcoholic beverages.
The Indigo View Airshow is already sold out.
Click here for more information about National Cherry Festival Air Show tickets.
Where can you see the Blue Angels fly at the National Cherry Festival Air Show?
If you want to see the Blue Angels perform but don’t want to be in large crowds, you can also watch the show from the beaches and coastal areas 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 commentators.
Where can you park for the National Cherry Festival Air Show?
The show organizers have put together a wide range of parking options, which are either located directly on the festival grounds, are within walking distance or have a shuttle service.
Main festival site and Bayside Music Stage (Open Space Park)
- Where: 106 W. Grandview Parkway
Parking is available throughout downtown Traverse City, managed by the City of Traverse City. The city has 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 a free shuttle service in partnership with the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA).
F&M Park
Street parking is available. You can bike to F&M Park via the TART Trail. It is about an eight-block walk from Open Space Park and a four-block walk from the Hardy Parking Garage.
Grand Traverse Commons
Parking is available on site. Bata Bayline also stops at this location.
Michigan State University Horticultural Research Station
- Where: 6686 S. Center Highway
Shuttles are available for the Orchard Tour and More event taking place at this location and there is some limited parking.
Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College
Parking is limited.
Grand Traverse County Civic Center
- Where: 1213 W. Civic Center Drive
Parking spots are available.
Shuttle service at the National Cherry Festival
The Bayline shuttle runs every 18-20 minutes daily throughout the festival. The main pickup areas are Woodland Creek (east), the Cherry Lot at Northwestern Michigan College (center), and the Meijer parking lot (west) next to the car wash. You can view the daily schedule here.
Shuttles drop off passengers at the Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) Hall Street Transfer Station. From the station, you can follow 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
- US Coast Guard Airfield in Traverse City
- Michigan Army National Guard
- Michael Goulian
- GhostWriter – Nathan K Hammond
- RJ Gritter
- Mike
Can you take a boat to the National Cherry Festival Air Show?
Yes, but the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes Marine Sector, in conjunction with the FAA, has issued a marine permit that imposes restrictions on boat traffic during the show.
Patrol boats will be deployed to monitor the restricted areas. The timeframe for the closures is subject to change. Currently, the closures are in effect on June 29th from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. and from June 30th to July 2nd from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The restricted area will be marked by buoys. Patrol boats will begin escorting 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.
A Michigan prosecutor team specializing in LGBTQ+ attacks has a 100% conviction rate
2026 4-star WR Chris Stewart commits to the Texas Longhorns
Russia claims responsibility for attack on Ukrainian air base in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Kiev has not confirmed
About The Author
