National Cherry Festival
BY STACEY HICKS
National Cherry Festival
TRAVERSE CITY -- Hannah DeBortoli and her sisters, twins Erica and Olivia, fondly recall attending Cherry Festival activities with their grandmother, but this year they are lending their hands as volunteers by serving as Junior Ambassadors.
"Grandma is really into the Cherry Festival. She took us to everything that had to do with it," said Erica, 14. "She suggested that we give back now that we're older, for the little kids."
Jacqueline Finch, of Traverse City, confirmed her love for the festival and her desire to pass that on to her grandchildren.
"I spend the whole week at Cherry Festival. I have them over for what we call "Grandma Camp" and they go to all the activities, but now it's time they give back," Finch said.
The three DeBortoli sisters will be working the kids' pie eating contest, as well as other activities for kids scheduled at F&M; Park.
"(My favorite part) is seeing how it impacts the little kids, seeing them happy," Hannah, 16, said.
"All the Cherry Festival events are for little kids or adults, so this gives us a chance to do something, too. Being able to help the little kids is fun," said Olivia DeBortoli.
Finch took her grandchildren to the kids' pie eating contest on Monday and was thrilled the girls enjoyed the experience of giving back to their community.
I was so proud, I could have burst," she said. "I just wanted them to love the Cherry Festival like I do. That's why it was so emotional."
