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April 20, 2005Organizers promise fabulous festival, great entertainmentEddie Money slated to perform again; no Blue Angels this yearByRecord-Eagle staff writer  Record-Eagle/Lara Neel The Mr. Cherry mascot will promote the children's book "Hidden Cherries" and the festival. The costumed creature displays his name - Mr. Cherry - in bold lettering on the back. "So there's no mistaking him for a tomato," said Anne Lewis, the book's co-author. The National Cherry Festival Tuesday announced its lineup for the 79th summer event, which runs July 2-9. Among this year's participants is Mr. Cherry, a cherry-red mascot who will promote the children's book "Hidden Cherries" and the festival. The costumed creature displays his name - Mr. Cherry - in bold lettering on the back. "So there's no mistaking him for a tomato," said Anne Lewis, the book's co-author. The thundering U.S. Navy Blue Angels, who appear every other year, will not fly in this year's air show. Still, air show director Kristine Volk said she has a great show planned. The July 2 and 3 show features the U.S. Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt II, the Navy's FA-18 E/F Super Hornet, vintage aircrafts and the Red Baron Pizza Squadron's open cockpit biplanes. "With each barrel roll and hammerhead you wonder if life can get any better," Volk said. The Bay Side Entertainment Stage presents Little Feat on July 2, followed by nightly entertainment by Three Men and a Tenor, Traverse City's Encore Society, Dierks Bentley, 1964 The Tribute, Eddie Money, John Waite and Gregg Rolie. This is Money's third scheduled appearance at the festival, but he hasn't yet performed. The first time the concert rained out and last year he left early due to a death in the family. "The third time is a charm, is what I'm told," said festival executive director Tom Kern. The festival also announced new senior activities, a cooking school, a roller hockey tourney and a lumberjack show featuring power sawing, logrolling and more. The theme of the Junior Royale Parade on July 7 is A Tribute to Disney. The Cherry Royale Parade starts at 10:45 a.m. July 9. Kern said dreary weather hurt the festival last year. This year, the biggest challenge is working around the construction zone at the bayfront power plant site. "I think we have the best non-Blue Angels air show that we've ever had, and the entertainment is really strong," he said. See Related Story: Still Life with cherries is festival's commemorative pick
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