Traverse City Record-Eagle

2009 Cherry Festival

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  • Jan-Michael Stump

    NCF CHERRY ROYALE PARADE
July 11, 2009

Clapping Kleppers carry on tradition

This year, even Sen. Carl Levin gets in on the fun

BY ART BUKOWSKI and LAURA WRIGHT

TRAVERSE CITY -- This tradition is easy on the ears.

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.

"It's kind of their last hurrah for the parade," Cindy said. "It's just been a lot of fun ... it's a good tradition; there's a real sense of community."

What's evolved into a big party originated in 1979. The Kleppers began to hang a large "we love the bands" banner outside their home, and they'd gather outside and clap wooden blocks to cheer on the march-weary students.

Some bands started to return the favor with a brief tune outside the Klepper residence. About seven years ago, band members from Bullock Creek High School in Midland took the show a step further.

"Each year, we design a special segment of the song for them," said band director Greg Smokovitz. "We've done the YMCA; that was fun because we got to dance the YMCA. We let the song dictate what we're going to do."

The band's act delights the Klepper family, and the interaction serves as a needed bit of relief for band members.

"It's good for the students," Smokovitz said. "They've been marching for about a mile, and it's a break from the statue form. It gets the blood moving."

This year, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin joined in the fun. Michigan's senior senator pulled a set of blocks from his car as he neared the Klepper's house and waded into the noisemaking tradition.

"It feels wonderful," Cindy said. "I love it."

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