4th of July & Cherry Fest shenanigans, AI dispatch reveal, community day, and more.
04 Jul
Happy Fourth of July, Traverse City. You know the drill – grab your coffee (or whatever you sip in the morning), kick back, and let TC Brief serve up everything you need to know for the weekend ahead:
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AI dispatch 🤖
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Cherry Fest 🍒
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4th of July 🎆
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Things to do 📆
Let’s get to it.
📰 In the news
Destination weddings: Northern Michigan’s Grand Traverse County now accounts for 6% of Michigan weddings, drawing spring and summer couples with its wineries, waterfront views and fresh trends like reception-only dresses and weekday celebrations — read more.
AI-powered dispatch system: Grand Traverse County commissioners approved a three-year contract with Aurelian AI for a call-taking system now available to handle non-emergency calls — see how it works.
TC inks FishPass deal: City commissioners signed a 10-year memorandum outlining operation and maintenance roles for the new bilateral selective fish passage facility — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The average driver pays $175 a month on car insurance, but most of us are paying way too much. If it’s been a while since you shopped around, you’re likely part of that “most of us” — this comparison tool can save you hundreds.
Highlights this week
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MI manufacturers to get a tool upgrade
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State unveils a beach-themed fragrance
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Get discounted slushies at Rove on Sundays
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Enjoy girl dinner and support TC Paw Rescue
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Celebrate CherryFest fireworks on a boat
🫶 We got your back
Twist and shout: Knead an excuse to carb-load? At Petoskey Pretzel Co., every pretzel is hand-rolled into a symphony of salty satisfaction. Whether you’re into classic sea-salt twists, cheese-stuffed bombs, or the seasonal cinnamon-sugar spin-offs, they’ve got the doughy goodness to keep your taste buds dancing.
Frankly fantastical franks: When you need a quick bite that packs a punch, Dogwood is the reigning champ of mustard, relish, and risk-it-all topping combos. Think loaded chili-cheese dogs with a dash of sriracha and pickled jalapeños—because sometimes comfort food needs a kick.
Game-day glory days: When you need that signed rookie card, throwback jersey, or commemorative puck to complete your shrine, look no further than Nothing But Sports. From MVP autographs to limited-edition bobbleheads, they’ve got the goods that make your living room feel like championship central—no referees required (just maybe a foam finger).
Energy efficiency on a budget: New windows and doors may not seem glamorous, but they can deliver real savings — windows can reduce utility bills by 7-15% and doors by up to 35%. To sweeten the savings, Renewal by Andersen is offering $400 off per window and $850 off per door right now.
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📆 Traverse City happenings
All events are subject to change without notice. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.
Today
🌽 4th of July Cornhole Tournament @ Cherry Festival Beer Tent | Friday (7/4) at 12 pm – Grab your partner and toss some bags riverside in this two-tiered cornhole clash where bragging rights and cash trophies await the sharpest chucker. Start with round-robin showdowns, then battle through double elimination for top-tier glory or a cozy consolation win. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a festive rookie, this Bay-side bash promises sun, suds, and serious bean-bag banter. Spots are capped at 64 teams—register early or risk bagging it at home!
🎸 Hoobastank, Bowling For Soup, and Plain White T’s @ Bayside Music Stage | Friday (7/4) at 6 pm – Celebrate Independence Day with a nostalgia-fueled alternative rock extravaganza featuring Hoobastank’s anthemic ballads, Bowling for Soup’s pop-punk party vibes, and Plain White T’s sing-along hits. It’s the perfect way to trade fireworks for guitar riffs and crowd-surf the holiday weekend under the stars. Don’t miss this triple-threat lineup that’ll have you shouting “The Reason” one moment and “1985” the next.
🎆 4th of July Fireworks @ Open Space Park | Friday (7/4) at 10:30 pm – Cap off your Independence Day with a sky-splitting fireworks extravaganza courtesy of the Traverse City Boom Boom Club. Dusk brings the sparkle—find your perfect picnic spot, grab a cherry treat, and settle in for the grand finale that lights up the night. Free to attend and impossible to forget!
This weekend
🏃 Meijer Festival of Races @ Traverse City Central High School | Saturday (7/5) at 7 am – Lace up for the 51st anniversary run with distances from a 5K up to a Half Marathon that finishes on the parade route (and even winds through cherry orchards for the 15K and Half). Enjoy scenic views of Grand Traverse Bay and post-race treats from Cherry Bay Orchards as cheering fans spur you home.
🛍️ Cherry Fest Market @ Old Town Parking Deck | Saturday (7/5) at 7:30 am – Rise and shine early-birds: the first 100 arrivals snag $5 in Cherry Bucks to splurge on local goodies. No vendor list? No problem – wander through rows of mouthwatering treats and handmade treasures at your own pace. Grab your coffee, your friends, and your sense of adventure for this dawn-till-sell-out market marathon.
🍿 The Secret of Kells – $1 Kids’ Matinee @ State Theatre | Saturday (7/5) at 10 am – Embark on a magical quest with 12-year-old Brendan as he battles Vikings and serpent gods to complete the legendary Book of Kells.
🎡 Arnold’s Amusements Midway @ Corner of Grandview Parkway | Saturday (7/5) at 11 am – Feast on nostalgia and adrenaline as Arnold’s Amusements Midway rolls into town for the National Cherry Festival. Strap in for thrilling rides, classic carnival games, and enough cotton candy to justify stretchy pants. Whether you’re hunting cherry-themed prizes or simply chasing screams, this is your go-to for lakeshore laughs.
🍒 Adult Cherry Pit Spit Contest @ Open Space Park | Saturday (7/5) at 6 pm – Unleash your inner pit-spitting pro at Traverse City’s ultimate cherry-chucking showdown. Register on-site just before 6 pm and vie for trophies in both men’s and women’s divisions. Think you can out-spit the Guinness World Record of 95 ft 6.5 in? Bring your best aim and make festival memories!
🎸 Grand Funk Railroad and 38 Special @ Bayside Music Stage | Saturday (7/5) at 6 pm – Dust off your denim and crank up the volume, because two titans of ’70s rock are hitting the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage. Grand Funk’s blue-collar anthems meet 38 Special’s Southern grit for a night of fist-pumping classics along West Grand Traverse Bay. Expect ear-worm hooks, power chords, and enough nostalgia to make your high school self weep with joy.
🚗 Cars and Coffee @ Aroma’s Coffee & Tea – Bayview | Sunday (7/6) at 9 am – Drag your daily driver (or that souped-up beater) out of the garage and park alongside fellow petrolheads. Sip on your favorite roast from Aroma’s, swap engine anecdotes, and check out summer’s coolest rides in the lot behind the shop. Construction at M22 and M72? Just plot an alternate route and roll in with a smile.
🎉 DMC Birthday Community Day @ Dennos Museum Center | Sunday (7/6) at 11 am – It’s Dennos Museum’s birthday blowout and you’re invited—no tickets, just good vibes. Roam the galleries, spark new conversations, and treat yourself at our birthday bake sale. Free admission, community feels, and sugar highs guaranteed.
🎶 Live music & entertainment
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7/4 Hoobastank and more @ Bayside Music Stage – 6 pm
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7/4 DJ 1 Wave @ Thirsty Fish Sports Grille – 6:30 pm
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7/4 Grove of Trees @ The Coin Slot – 7 pm
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7/4 Boardman River Band @ Kilkenny’s Irish Pub – 9:30 pm
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7/5 Dirty Dinner Show @ The Pub – 5 pm
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7/5 Dueling Pianos @ Old Mission Distilling – 6 pm
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7/5 Grand Funk Railroad and more @ Bayside Music Stage – 6 pm
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7/5 The Boardman River Band @ The Parlor – 9 pm
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7/6 David Martón @ The Pub – 5 pm
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7/6 Act Casual @ Union Street Station – 7 pm
🏠️ Price Is Right – TC edition
How it works: We’re going to give you some facts about a home for sale, including a picture of the outside, the kitchen, and one additional room. Your job? Guess how much it’s listed for (preferably before you click to find out).
*This️ 👇️ could be your listing. Hit us up if you’ve got a home (or 12) to sell.
Listed by: Hillary Voight (Five Star Real Estate – Front St TC)
In La Riveria West Association, bragging rights include 550 feet of shoreline, killer pickleball serves, and HOA dues that won’t give you nightmares. A waterfall feature spills beside a porch made for procrastination, while decking and patio space scream “weekend BBQ legends.”
Inside, cherry cabinets flex alongside Sub-Zero chillers and a Wolf cooktop that means business. Heated floors, Sonos system, red birch floors and a spa bath with heat lamp and seasonal bay peeks add creature comforts with attitude. Three-zone HVAC keeps each corner happy. A den-turned-bedroom, game room, and crawlspace storage ensure zero excuses for clutter.
Make your guess, then (and only then)… see how much it costs →
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