Saturday, June 19, 2010

Cherry Capital of the World

Traverse City, MI


Cherry Capital of the World

The cherry is not indigenous to the United States. Early French settlers brought cherry pits to America in the 1600’s. Cherry trees began to flourish in this Michigan area around 1850. A Presbyterian minister by the name of Peter Dougherty was the first to begin planting trees near this town. His cherries became so popular other cherry orchards began to sprout up throughout the Traverse City area. In the early 1900’s, the Traverse City Canning Company opened and the city began to dominate the cherry industries. Today, this community is host to the National Cherry Festival every July. This cherry festival began in 1926. Today, this eight day event draws over 500,000 visitors. The festival features over 500 events and 85% of them are free! If you and your family fly to Traverse City you will land at the Cherry Capital Airport.

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