Traverse City Record-Eagle

2009 Cherry Festival

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  • Jan-Michael Stump

    NCF CHERRY QUEEN CORONATION

  • Jan-Michael Stump

    NCF CHERRY QUEEN CORONATION
July 10, 2009

Farmer's daughter named Cherry Queen

BY LAURA WRIGHT

TRAVERSE CITY -- There's a new queen in town: Angela Sayler, an Elk Rapids High School graduate and daughter of a Williamsburg cherry farmer.

"It's not even happening to me," Sayler, 24, said Friday evening, moments after she bested three other finalists to capture the 2009-10 National Cherry Queen title. "I am in a daze. Oh, my God. This has been absolutely the best experience of my life."

Sayler is a 2007 graduate of Grand Valley State University and said she'll use her $8,250 scholarship prize to continue her education. She plans to seek a master's degree in business while spending a year on the festival and food show circuit touting Traverse City and the cherry industry.

Stephanie Paulosky, also of Williamsburg, earned first runner-up honors and will receive $1,750 in scholarship money.

"This has been absolutely an incredible blessing for all of us," Paulosky said. "I know in my heart that Angela will be an incredible representative, and I couldn't be happier for her."

The other two finalists included Samantha Dunn, of Gaylord, and Franki Price, of Elk Rapids.

Sayler succeeds Megan Umulis, who said she enjoyed travel opportunities afforded her as cherry queen. Umulis said she'll begin employment at Village Press, Inc. and will continue to travel as part of her new job.

"It's bittersweet," Umulis said. "This program has given me a lot of opportunities, but I'm ready to start a new chapter of my life."

Her advice for Sayler: "Take advantage of each moment you are involved in the industry, the community and the festival. The year goes by really fast."

Cindy Weber knows the story well. She was the 1987 Cherry Queen, and her fondest memories include a cherry ice cream social she hosted for members of the U.S. Congress. She also presented a cherry pie to then-Vice President George H. W. Bush.

"That cherry pie was x-rayed two or three times," Weber said. "How can I ever repay the festival for memories like those?"

Live and silent auctions were included in this year's coronation festivities at the City Opera House. Proceeds are to be used for the cherry queen scholarship program.

Text Only
  • NCF CHERRY ROYALE PARADE
    Festival numbers show event was a success

    The early returns from the National Cherry Festival are in, and the consensus is it was better than many expected.

    Continued ...
    Jul 14, 2009 10:45 pm 1 Photo
  • Sun sets on 83rd Cherry Festival
    NCF CARNIVAL SUNSET

    That's a wrap, as they say in show business. The 83rd National Cherry Festival concluded Saturday with record crowds, warm temperatures and good vibes shared by festival-goers and officials.

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    Jul 11, 2009 8:35 pm 1 Photo
  • Clapping Kleppers carry on tradition
    NCF CHERRY ROYALE PARADE

    Ray and Cindy Klepper's 812 S. Union St. home sits near the end of the National Cherry Festival's famed Cherry Royale Parade. They've boisterously supported high school bands for about 30 years, and each year one downstate band returns the favor by playing the Kleppers a special tune.

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    Jul 11, 2009 8:35 pm 1 Photo
  • Volunteers keep fest going
    NCF VOLUNTEERS

    This year, the National Cherry Festival recruited close to 1,300 volunteers who covered over 3,000 shifts.

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    Jul 10, 2009 10:50 pm 1 Photo
  • Kids get creative at sand sculpture contest

    Color, creativity and good design. That's what Junior Ambassador-in-training Will Schlosser, 8, looked for as he helped judge the Kid's Sand Sculpture Contest.

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    Jul 10, 2009 10:50 pm
  • Cherry Festival schedule: 07/11/2009

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    Jul 10, 2009 10:50 pm
  • Man's best friend makes a splash in contest
    NCF

    Most dogs at Thursday's Ultimate Air Dog competition -- a popular event at the National Cherry Festival -- jumped between 11 and 18 feet.

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    Jul 10, 2009 7:48 am 1 Photo
  • Economy a heavy festival backdrop
    NCF

    The sluggish economy wasn't far from the minds of George and Sue Bunker as they enjoyed the bustle of the National Cherry Festival this week. Sue lost her manufacturing job when her plant shuttered its doors without notice in 2007, and George retired from his contracting job 14 years ago. Insurance costs, food prices, taxes and more are on the rise, and it's enough to knot their stomachs.

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    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am 1 Photo
  • Shuffleboard tourney 'great family event'
    NCF

    The senior shuffleboard tournament held at the Traverse City Senior Center is a National Cherry Festival constant. This year it was chock-full at 32 participants.

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    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Festival Queen to be crowned tonight
    images_sizedimage_191071138

    The 83rd National Cherry Festival is in its final days. But the festivities are far from over for one young woman. She'll spend the next year as queen of the National Cherry Festival, busied, like current queen Megan Umulis, at myriad Cherry Festival events. Tonight, one of the four finalists will be crowned 2009-2010 National Cherry Festival Queen.

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    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am 4 Photos
  • Cherry Festival schedule: 07/10/2009

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    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am
  • Thursday, July 9, 2009
  • Special kids thrilled at Cherry Festival
    NCF SEPCIAL KIDS DAY

    Rhonda Gates took the day off work to spend with her son. He wasn't sick; it wasn't his birthday, or a holiday. It was Special Kids' Day at the National Cherry Festival. "This is a day for him, and that's special for me," Gates said.

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    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am 2 Photos
  • Pavilions hosts Intergenerational Picnic
    NCF INTERGENERATIONAL PICNIC

    Mustard and ketchup stained Taven Medler's cheeks as he ripped into his second hot dog. His pace slowed as he buckled down and ignored questions from his uncle Steve and grandfather Caryl Tavener; the boy, 5, focused intently on the condiment-soaked bun before him, a nice family moment at the Intergenerational Picnic at the Grand Traverse Pavilions on Wednesday.

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    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry fest sponsors flock to Open Space

    The National Cherry Festival has more than 80 corporate sponsors, such as Verizon and Pepsi, and 17 promotional partners, like "The Other White Meat Campaign." Promotional partnerships raise displays at the Open Space during at least part of the festival. That's right, part.

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    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am
  • Cherry Festival schedule: 07/09/2009

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    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am
  • Wednesday, July 8, 2009
  • Heritage Day reflects region's history
    NCF POW WOW

    Rosemary Antoine considers Heritage Day an opportunity to celebrate ethnic backgrounds and gather for fellowship and a traditional pow-wow. "When I'm here, my heart is very touched," Antoine, of Peshawbestown, and a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

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    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Connection touts industry
    Cherry Connection

    Attendees learned about climate, environment, pesticides and aspects of cherry farming at a recent Cherry Connection event, held at Michigan State University's Horticultural Research Station in Leelanau County's Bingham Township.

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    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am 2 Photos
  • 10 compete in hot dog-eating contest
    NCF HOT DOG EATING CONTEST

    Traverse City restaurant Opa! Coney & Grill sponsored the contest that featured relatively simple rules: 10 contestants had 10 minutes to wolf down as many hot dogs as possible from a massive plate. Condiments were allowed, though competitors ignored them, and water available as a chaser.

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    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/08/2009

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    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am
  • Tuesday, July 7, 2009
  • Festival pays tribute to heroes
    NCF

    Military veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and other rescue personnel received medallions during this year's Heroes Day, good for discounts on Cherry Festival fare and at some downtown businesses.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 3 Photos
  • Festival floats are a royal task
    images_sizedimage_188064645

    Parents and students across the region have been up to their eyeballs in parade preparations since April. All their work will float down Front and Union streets on Thursday at the Junior Royale Parade and again Saturday at the Cherry Royale Parade during the National Cherry Festival.

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    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 2 Photos
  • Hungry kids make, bake and take pies
    NCF

    Last year, the Grand Traverse Pie Company introduced make-and-bake pies for kids at the festival Open Space. About 800 kids are expected to make a pie this year.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 1 Photo
  • Something for young and old at fest
    NCF

    A long list of senior entertainment slated for the upcoming days began with a Very Cherry Distinguished Senior breakfast at the Traverse City Elks Lodge on Monday, and included the naming of the Rev. Edwin Thome as the Distinguished Senior of this year's Cherry Festival.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/07/2009

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am