[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 24, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S3198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL IN 
                        TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, MI.
  Traverse City is known as the Cherry Capital of the World for good 
reason. More than 70 percent of the Nation's tart cherries are grown in 
the Grand Traverse region, and for a century, this remarkable harvest 
has been celebrated through a festival that honors both the quality of 
the crop and the hard-working people who produce it.
  The inaugural Cherry Festival was held in 1926, though celebrations 
of the cherry harvest date back even earlier. In the 1910s, local 
growers gathered for an informal event known as the Blessing of the 
Blossoms, laying the foundation for what would become one of Michigan's 
most beloved traditions. Over the past century, the festival has grown 
from a modest 3-day event into an 8-day celebration of the dedication, 
resilience, and community spirit that define the Grand Traverse region.
  The National Cherry Festival is no small spectacle. Each year, 
hundreds of thousands of visitors travel to Traverse City to take part 
in cherished traditions, from the crowning of the Cherry Queen to the 
breathtaking performances of the Blue Angels over Grand Traverse Bay. 
The festival has also welcomed notable guests throughout its history, 
including three Presidents. In 1925, a giant cherry pie was presented 
to President Calvin Coolidge; in 1929, President Herbert Hoover 
attended the opening-day ceremony; and in 1975, President Gerald Ford 
proudly served as grand marshal of the Cherry Royale Parade.
  Yet the National Cherry Festival is about far more than celebrating a 
bountiful harvest. It is a tribute to the growers, families, 
businesses, and volunteers whose efforts sustain both the festival and 
the broader community. Thousands of volunteer hours are dedicated each 
year to preserving its traditions and creating memorable experiences 
for residents and visitors alike. Their commitment has helped make the 
festival a lasting symbol of civic pride and community engagement.
  For generations, the National Cherry Festival has created cherished 
summer memories for families from Michigan and across the Nation. 
Today, it remains as important to the Grand Traverse region as it was 
at its founding a century ago. As the festival celebrates this historic 
milestone, I congratulate its organizers, volunteers, growers, and 
supporters for carrying forward a tradition that showcases the very 
best of Michigan.
  I ask the Senate to join me in celebrating the National Cherry 
Festival as it marks its 100th anniversary. For a century, this iconic 
Michigan tradition has honored the growers and communities whose 
dedication has made the Grand Traverse region a leader in cherry 
production and a source of pride for our State. May the festival 
continue to strengthen community ties, celebrate Michigan's 
agricultural heritage, and bring joy to future generations for another 
hundred years.

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