This evening is the Junior Royal Parade. Last night, I talked to a family friend’s daughter about how she is going to be in the parade and it brought back a lot of memories of my own parade experience.

I wish I could go back to the simplistic view I had as a child. Everything looked like the Taj Mahal to me then. Well, I when I saw Eastern Elementary’s float, my float, for the very first time, I thought it was the most amazing thing. More »

There are more than 160 events at this year’s Cherry Festival. And every one of those events is run by volunteers.

As a summer Record-Eagle reporter, I have been interviewing many of the people involved with the festival and without fail, every one of them has mentioned the volunteers.

Joan Boss, a Cherry Festival official and longtime Traverse City resident, said, “We could not do this without the volunteers.” More »

Piles of pushy pedestrians jostle their way across the street, plowing into the mass of movers coming the other way. Countless cars rev their engines while a slew of slow stragglers cross after the light has turned. Families fumble for cameras draped around their necks, which strain skyward.

No, I’m not talking about noisy New York City. This is tiny, tranquil Traverse City and this is tourist season. More »

I’m not exactly part of the Cherry Festival’s target audience. I’ve outgrown all the kid games, and anyway, my parents never bought me a turtle, I don’t own a classic car, I’m hypoglycemic so no cherry pie eating contests, I’m too young to get into the beer tent, I’m not a fan of tribute bands, and I’ve never been one for carnival rides.

So, that leaves me with traffic jams, packed restaurants and long lines. And that’s the way I like it.

My annual Cherry Festival event: people watching. More »