TRAVERSE CITY — It took more than a little coaxing from her owners for Brenna, a 6-year-old golden retriever, to take the plunge during the National Cherry Festival's first day of Ultimate Air Dogs competition.
Katherine Johnson, 19, jumped into the pool to show her pooch just how it's done. Brenna took her cue and followed right behind.
"I might have to bring my bathing suit next year," said Johnson, of Traverse City, who along with her mom, Jan, entered Brenna in her first dock-jumping contest.
Canines compete in five divisions, based on their qualifying distance. Novice jumpers, like Brenna, had an opportunity to try out their skills during practice rounds held yesterday at the Open Space Park West.
More than 75 dogs are registered to compete in the three-day event held annually by Ultimate Air Dogs founder, former Detroit Tigers pitcher Milt Wilcox.
"We have some of the best jumping dogs in the country right here at the Cherry Festival," Wilcox said.
A chocolate lab/German shorthair retriever mix named Gunner falls into the category of outstanding jumpers. Owned by Ken Bailk of Traverse City, Gunner took a 22'4" jump during practice rounds, but his personal best is 24'10".
"He has a lot of heart," said Bailk, who decided to get a jumper after seeing the festival's first Ultimate Air Dogs challenge seven years ago.
"The first year I showed up and watched and the next year I was here with Gunner and he took third place," said Bailk, who credits much of Gunner's success to his natural love of the water.
Adam and Amanda Ryan's 8-month-old golden retriever Troy shares Gunner's love of the water, so much so that the novice jumper had no interest in getting out of the pool.
"He just loves to swim and fetch," said Adam Ryan of Stratford, Ontario, who had to jump in to retrieve his retriever.
The Ultimate Air Dogs competition continues today with finals on Saturday.
2011 Cherry Festival
Related Photos
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Sky, owned by Brian Butler, of Grand Rapids, takes a leap in the Ultimate Air Dogs competition at the National Cherry Festival. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
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Zach, owned by Carlee and Casey Allen, of Frederic, shakes off after a leap in the Ultimate Air Dogs competition at the National Cherry Festival. Record-Eagle/Jan-Michael Stump
Four-paw leap ends in splash
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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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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.
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Style takes center stage at show
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.
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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