We went down to the National Cherry Festival because 9&10’s Rachel Rademacher’s friend Amalie Hilligsoe from Denmark is in town. We took her around the National Cherry Festival and showed her what it’s like.
“So, what do you think of the festival?”
“Very amazing. Good weather and lots of cherry flavor in everything you can imagine says Amalie It’s crazy. Crazy to see… I think, and what impressed me the most was how you can use cherries for everything, all from sour dough to dips, and we’ve tried some different cherry flavored items or foods. My favorite food was the cherry slushie.”
We also interviewed Hilligsoe before the festival to get her take on what she was expecting.
“I think it’s going to be very huge with a lot of cherries and like, carnivals theme, saying they’re hoping to see some eating contests,” said Hilligsoe. “I feel like that’s very American to see like in all different times. I’m excited to get the whole experience and to see all the different kinds of activities you can experience there and just being part of it.”
Amalie looked forward to trying all the treats, including an elephant ear. Our first stop was a bucket of Gibby’s fries.
“They’re good,” said Hilligsoe. “Oh, I love the bucket.”
We also had Hilligsoe mark Denmark on the map at the entrance, and she was happy to see a few pins marked in Denmark. Hilligsoe says the fair was similar to what she had seen in movies.
“I would say so, yeah,” said Hilligsoe “So many dedicated people volunteering and having all these different foods.”
Rademacher reflects on the day, of giving her friend Hilligsoe a tour of Northern Michigan.
“It’s so fun. I got to go visit her home a couple of years ago, and she got to show you all her favorite things to bring you her to Traverse City,” said Rademacher. “And getting to experience a National Cherry Festival just feels so nice, because this is where I live in my home and what I love. So, sharing it with her is just so special, especially seeing her love it. I think my favorite thing is the fact that she said if she could live anywhere in Michigan, she would live here.”
Rademacher said she had to have Hilligsoe try the Cherry Pie flurry to give her the full festival experience. Hilligsoe for all the holiday festivities.
“I’d say I’m excited for tomorrow and seeing the 4th of July here,” said Hilligsoe. “My first Fourth of July and the concert… The fireworks. Yeah, very excited for what they were as well.