This year’s Cherry Festival in Traverse City will be missing one thing: a smoking section. Smoking corrals will be eliminated from the Open Space in Clinch Park on West Grand Traverse Bay.
The city refused to allow smoking this year. In previous years, the event has been given an exemption from the no smoking rule for the Open Space.
Trevor Tkach, executive director of the National Cherry Festival, says it’s a positive move.
"The cherry festival is dedicated to promoting health and wellness. That’s what the cherry industry is all about. Grand Traverse region really speaks to healthy living. We want to align with that at the park."
Organizers will have extra volunteers on hand to remind people of the new rule.
The National Cherry Festival will be held July 5th through the 12th.