Celebrate the sweets of summer at a fruit-focused festival.
Partake in everything strawberry-strawberry pies, strawberry crepes, strawberry shortcake, chocolate-covered strawberries-at the 24th Annual Strawberry Festival, June 27-28, in historic Cedarburg, Wis., located 20 miles north of Milwaukee. Dance to live music at a variety of venues in the historic district and enter the strawberry bubblegum-blowing contest. Run off the calories at the “Berry Big” 5K Run/Walk/Roll at 9 a.m. Saturday, then gain them back at the outdoor Strawberry Pancake Breakfast at Cedar Creek Settlement, a former stone woolen mill built in 1864, from 8-11 a.m. Sunday morning. Visit www.cedarburgfestivals.org/strawberryfestival.html for more information.
Take a ride to South Haven, Mich., for the annual celebration of our classic American berry at the National Blueberry Festival. Held the first weekend of August, this festival centers on this glorious, antioxidant-rich berry. Eat as many blueberries as you can before heading over to enjoy the beaches. Pay a visit to the historic 100-year-old lighthouse, which leads boats into the harbor. Don’t leave home without stopping at one of the many pick-your-own blueberry farms in this blueberry capital of the world. Don’t forget that blueberries can be frozen, so you can enjoy fresh blueberry pancakes even in the dead of winter. Visit www.blueberryfestival.com for the latest festival news.
Last, but not least, the National Cherry Festival (July 4-11) in Traverse City, Mich., could be the best fruit festival of the Midwest. Enjoy a wide variety of live music, arts and crafts, games and rides and cherries. From cherry pie to cherry sausage, you’re sure to get your summer cherry fix. Kids will love being a guest at the Teddy Bear Tea, riding around the bicycle rodeo and building to win at the sandcastle competition at this family-centered celebration. Check out www.cherryfestival.org for the schedule of events.
