TRAVERSE CITY — Her reign as National Cherry Festival queen ends soon, but Maria LaCross used part of one of her last days of royalty to share a runway with some former and one future festival queen.
Models, including LaCross and her court, on Wednesday paraded down the runway in styles that could take them to the beach, the office or out on the town during the National Cherry Festival's 2011 Royale Pageant of Fashion at the Park Place Hotel.
"Local retailers provided a wide variety of looks and were eager to participate. They showed a lot of enthusiasm for the event," said Paula Prusick, director of the Darlings, Dolls and Divas luncheon and fashion show.
LaCross, 2011-12 candidates Jordan Balker, Evelynne Mende, Laura Patmore and Stephanie Neville, as well as former cherry queens and local residents, modeled clothing and coordinating shoes, bags and jewelry from 13 stores during the annual event.
"This is such a good example of how our community comes together and supports the National Cherry Festival," said LaCross, who wore a one-shouldered red taffeta dress with rhinestone embellishments and ruched skirt from Posh in Traverse City.
Other merchants included Sweet Pea, Cherry Hill Boutique, Kay's/Robert Frost, Art for the Soul, Daisy Jane, Ella's, Diversions, Roth Shirt Co., TJ Maxx, What to Wear and Younkers.
"This is one of my favorite events because it brings a lot of the past queens together," LaCross said.
Modeling a floral print dress, former cherry queen Megan Umulis said she looks forward to the fashion show as a way to reconnect with the people she worked with during her reign in 2008-09.
"It also gives me a chance to spend some time with the candidates and encourage them to keep smiling," said Umulis, who now lives near Grand Rapids.
Elizabeth Stokes Witteveen, 89, the 1959-60 Mrs. Traverse City, Mrs. Michigan and Mrs. America, enjoyed watching the fashion show but says things have changed a great deal since she wore her crown.
"I had to be able to cook and bake," she said.
2011 Cherry Festival
Related Photos
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Alexandra Builes, left, and Olivia Grajewski, both 7, watch models on the runway during the National Cherry Festival Royale Pageant of Fashion on Wednesday at the Park Place Dome. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
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Former Cherry Queen Angela Sayler takes a trip down the runway under the Park Place Dome. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
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Elizabeth Stokes Witteveen, former Mrs. Traverse City, Mrs. Michigan and Mrs. America watches the pageant. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Style takes center stage at show
Local retailers provide fashion elements
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Author Evanovich at Cherry Fest event
A Plum author is coming to the National Cherry Festival, along with cheaper pins, air show veterans and the return of the "best bar on the bay."
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Reader photo contest winner announced
Jason Lome, of Acme, is this year's Record-Eagle's Cherry Festival reader photo contest winner.
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Attendance strong for 85th Cherry Fest
The crowds have gone, and another successful Cherry Festival is in the history — if not the record — books.
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Festival relatively calm for police
Crime was down at this year's National Cherry Festival, police said. Traverse City police fielded a number of complaints last week, but Capt. Steve Morgan said crime levels did not compare to previous festivals.
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Visitors, locals enjoy the moment
Summing up the 2011 National Cherry Festival is simple: sunshine and smiles.
Continued ... - Saturday, July 9, 2011
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Blaker crowned Cherry Queen
Welcome to the sisterhood, Jordan Blaker. Crowned the 2011-2012 National Cherry Queen on Friday night during the Coronation Ball, Blaker is the 85th woman to earn the honor.
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Cherry treats tempt festival tastebuds
The National Cherry Festival offers plenty of good food choices. Local and traveling vendors are on hand.
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Quadriplegic to walk 5K today
The farthest Grant Forrester has walked is a little more than a mile. But he's determined to walk today's 5K in the Festival of Races, part of the National Cherry Festival.
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Farm shows cherry growing methods
Visitors to the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station were able to tour the 100 acre research farm and sample cherry treats during the National Cherry Festival’s Cherry Connection.
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Green Day highlights renewable energy, technology
Windmills, solar panels and electric cars joined inflated beer cans and giant cows Friday on the Open Space as the festival held Green Day for the fourth consecutive year.
Continued ... - Saturday National Cherry Festival schedule
- Friday, July 8, 2011
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Video: Ultimate Air Dogs 2011
The Ultimate Air Dogs, part of the 2011 National Cherry Festival, features dogs competing for longest leap into a water-filled pool.
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Four-paw leap ends in splash
The first day of Ultimate Air Dogs competition had more than the 75-plus registered canines getting wet.
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Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/08/2011
Today at the National Cherry Festival.
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Video: Junior Royale Parade
The National Cherry Festival Junior Royale Parade winds down Front and Union streets Thursday evening in downtown Traverse City.
Continued ... - Thursday, July 7, 2011
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Cherry Festival races stay fresh
The Cherry Festival's annual Festival of Races are among the oldest and most popular road races in the area. Yet, there seems to be something new every year.
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Winners return to Golden Mile
Saturday's Golden Mile will have a familiar look. Several runners are returning to Traverse City for the elite race, including a pair of former champions.
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Parents: Special Kids Day is a 'gift'
Hundreds of special-needs children and their families came to the Open Space for fun and games at the Cherry Festival, including camel rides, a petting zoo, fire truck rides and a swing designed for wheelchairs.
Continued ... - Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/07/2011
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Cherries show up in unexpected places
Everything’s better with cherries, say foodies in the so-called cherry capital of the world. Even, gulp, beer and pizza.
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Recipe of the Week: Perfect Cherry Pie
The people at Cherry Republic suggested using Ruby Red Morsels on cereal, yogurt, plain or in this humbly named recipe.
Continued ... - Wednesday, July 6, 2011
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Children showcase animals at F&M Park
A morning menagerie filled F&M Park.
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Senior award winner fights Parkinson's
Hettie Molvang, nurse and advocate for people with Parkinson's disease and their families, is this year's National Cherry Festival Distinguished Senior Citizen.
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Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/06/2011
Today at the National Cherry Festival.
Continued ... - Tuesday, July 5, 2011
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Video: Cherry Festival Powwow
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians held its annual National Cherry Festival powwow Tuesday at the Open Space in Traverse City.
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Fourth of July dedicated to Heroes
Military members, public safety officers and homeland security staff were honored for their service at the National Cherry Festival Heroes' Day.
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Cherry Festival schedule: 07/05/2011
Today at the National Cherry Festival:
Continued ... - Monday, July 4, 2011
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Craft fair, autos draw thousands
The Old Town Classic Car Show and Arts and Crafts Fair were among the events that attracted thousands to the National Cherry Festival on Sunday.
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Cherry Festival 2011 schedule: 07/04/2011
Events scheduled for today’s National Cherry Festival
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Few elected officials in Cherry Royale parade
The National Cherry Festival trimmed the number of elected officials in its Cherry Royale Parade. The festival invited only Gov. Rick Snyder and five federal office-holders: U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, plus U.S. Reps. Dave Camp, Bill Huizenga and Dan Benishek.
Continued ... - Sunday, July 3, 2011
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Cherry Fest kicks off 2011 edition
Bob and Heather Benson didn’t know what they were getting into. They rolled into Traverse City on Friday and received a quick education to northern Michigan; unbeknownst to them, the National Cherry Festival was right on their tail.
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Police to beef up patrols this week
Local authorities plan to increase patrols this week as the National Cherry Festival rolls into town.
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Today at the Cherry Festival
Four-Person Beach Volleyball Tournament
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Today's tournament features Co-Ed Open (18 teams), Co-Ed Recreational (12 teams) and Women's (6 teams) play. - Saturday, July 2, 2011
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Today’s Cherry Festival schedule
NCF Presidential Cherry Pancake Breakfast; Million Dollar Hole-In-One Golf Contest; Two-Person Beach Volleyball Tournament; and more
Continued ... - Friday, July 1, 2011
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Record-Eagle holds reader photo contest
Grab your camera and head down to the 2011 National Cherry Festival for your chance to win a 10-person suite to a Beach Bums home game.
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Author Elmore Leonard at Cherry Festival
Elmore Leonard will be at the National Cherry Festival Saturday, July 2.
Continued ... - Wednesday, June 29, 2011
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'Buzz' about town as Cherry Festival nears
Tents, power lines, trailers, stages and more continue to pile up at the Open Space this week in preparation for the National Cherry Festival.
Continued ... - Friday, June 10, 2011
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Cherry Fest lineup, Carpenter announced
The National Cherry Festival has announced its music lineup and the City Opera House announced Mary Chapin Carpenter will be performing there.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 25, 2011
- Elmore Leonard coming to Cherry Festival
- Sunday, May 22, 2011
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Cherry Festival queen finalists named
Four finalists from a field of 20 were announced Saturday in the competition to become queen of the 2011 National Cherry Festival. The judges chose Jordan Blaker, Evelynne Mende, Stephanie Neville and Laura M. Patmore.
Continued ... - Friday, May 20, 2011
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20 vie for Cherry Queen title
Twenty candidates are competing for National Cherry Queen. Four finalists will be chosen this weekend and announced in Sunday's Record-Eagle.
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