Traverse City Record-Eagle

Region

A SMOOTH WEEKEND

Traverse City police responded to 379 calls from Friday to Sunday, Capt. Steve Morgan said. Nineteen of them involved assault, including one stabbing.

There were no drunken-driving accidents in the city limits, he said.

Overall, this year's holiday weekend was "pretty typical," Morgan said. "I don't think we had any drunk-driving arrests."

He said Grand Traverse County sheriff's deputies and state police troopers will assist with patrols Thursday and Saturday during National Cherry Festival parades.

Related Photos

  • Raymond Shenoskey dances in the Grand Entry to Tuesday's Grand Traverse Band Pow Wow held by The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians at the Open Space. Jan-Michael Stump/Record-Eagle

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  • Lead female dancer Lisa Shawandase shades her 6-month-old son, Jonas, during an intertribal dance at the Open Space. Jan-Michael Stump/Record-Eagle

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July 7, 2010

Businesses upbeat after strong weekend

Blue Angels, warm weather help draw crowds downtown

BY LINDSAY VANHULLE lvanhulle@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Michele McClellan and her family spend about five weeks each summer near Suttons Bay.

For four years, the Tucson, Ariz., residents included the National Cherry Festival in their vacation. The family tried to take in several events Sunday as part of opening weekend.

"It was busy. This is much nicer," McClellan said Tuesday from the Open Space, where the weekend crowds had thinned. "We're here, so we don't try to avoid it."

Festival organizers are encouraged after what appeared to be a strong start to the 2010 event. Final numbers comparing this year's opener to 2009 aren't ready, but, at least anecdotally, the crowds were larger.

Hot, sunny weather and two appearances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight team often are the deciding factors for a successful festival. This year had both.

"People who have done this for years have said they can't remember a crowd that big," festival Executive Director Tim Hinkley said of Saturday, opening day. "They were parking blocks and blocks away."

But Hinkley isn't sure what impact the thousands of people lining West Grand Traverse Bay will have on the festival's bottom line.

It was possible to watch the air show — a free event — without visiting the Open Space vendors.

"The Blue Angels naturally attract more people," Hinkley said. "Just because a lot of people come down to the beach doesn't necessarily mean they're spending money."

Some vendors said they had a great start.

Several people Tuesday bought plastic cups of cherries from the Gallagher's Farm Market stand in the food court.

Over the weekend, "our jams and jellies were going by the case," said Claire Lammers, whose family owns the local market. "Cherries go quick because it's easy and people want to walk around with them."

The holiday weekend also was stronger than a year ago at some downtown businesses.

Cherry Hill Boutique recorded its "busiest day of the year so far" on Monday, owner Annie Hill said. "We did better than last year."

Part of that is due to a new location with larger window space, Hill said. A variety of cherry-printed clothing is displayed near the front of the shop.

About 30 percent more diners ate at Phil's on Front this holiday than last, owner Phil Murray said. He anticipates double-digit increases this week.

Rooms were full Saturday and Sunday at the Days Inn on Munson Avenue. The Cherry Tree Inn was full both days, as well as Friday.

Sugar Beach and Grand Beach hotels, on East Bay, were full Saturday and Sunday. Both have about 75 percent occupancy this week and expect to be full this weekend, said Jamie Julian, Sugar Beach's front office manager.

Temperatures should be in the 80s all week. Festival organizers are keeping an eye on the forecast, hoping it doesn't rain.

It could. A front sitting over Wisconsin is increasing moisture in the Grand Traverse region, said Cameron Amrine, of the National Weather Service in Gaylord.

A chance of showers is possible through Wednesday night, Amrine said, but it shouldn't be enough to keep people away from the Cherry Festival.

"It's going to be pretty spotty," he said. "I wouldn't expect anything too extreme."

Most events will stay open if it rains, Hinkley said. Consistent showers or storms would be most problematic.

A number of people Tuesday said it was their first day in town.

Rhonda Howard, of Gaylord, pushed a stroller through the Open Space. Her two young children munched on cherries and corn dogs.

"We came for the cherries," Howard said. "If you come for day trips, I think it's affordable."

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