Traverse City News and Events

Commissioners To Study Cherry Fest Fees, Dates

Nov. 11, 2014

An ad hoc committee of the city commission will review whether the National Cherry Festival (NCF) can continue to operate on the Fourth of July and what type of fees the event should pay to the city.

While NCF already has dates approved for 2015 and 2016, commissioners last night said they want to take a closer look at the festival's overlap with Independence Day in 2017 and beyond. Mayor Michael Estes says he doesn't “have any problem with the Fourth of July being included in the festival dates” and would rather see the event reduce its overall length of occupancy in the Open Space, but other commissioners wanted to study the pros and cons of moving the festival later in July. The ad hoc committee – whose members will be selected at an upcoming commission meeting – will also work to establish a fee structure for the event to compensate the city for services after NCF Executive Director Trevor Tkach agreed to eliminate a $45,000 fee cap for city costs.

City Manager Jered Ottenwess will also work with NCF officials on additional proposed tweaks to the event and bring back a revised contractual agreement to commissioners to review. Those changes include enhanced waste management, increased handicap parking, reduced set-up and tear-down length, establishment of clear zones around non-motorized pathways and reduction of the festival's footprint on city parks pre and post-event. 

Comment

New Jail, Camp Greilick Plan, Court Separation Top Busy County Agenda

Read More >>

When Medicine Meets Theater

Read More >>

Mary's Kitchen Port to Close This August

Read More >>

City, Garfield Township Work Toward Water Solutions

Read More >>

GT Conservation District’s Big Year: New Boardman Bridge, Incubator Farm Expansion & Education Reserve Improvements

Read More >>

'Open Ship' At The Great Lakes Maritime Academy

Read More >>

Trouble Brewing: Local Construction Numbers, Plus Controversial Trump Policies, Spell Turbulence For Residential Development

Read More >>

Longtime Favorite Tuscan Bistro Returns (Sort of)

Read More >>

Bergman Town Hall Draws Hundreds Of Constituents...But No Bergman

Read More >>

Your Staycation Itinerary

Read More >>

Munson Medical Center Lands Multiple ‘Best Hospitals’ Honors From Women’s Choice Health

Read More >>

Local Company Wants To Bring More 'Age-In-Place-Friendly' Housing To Traverse City

Read More >>

County Commissioners Support VASA & AcenTek Expansion Projects, Workforce Housing, Jail Contracts

Read More >>

Meijer Planning New Traverse City Store

Read More >>