Cherry Fest ended on Saturday. Due to our European trip, we missed the party, and that was OK. Because of the construction on M-22, getting downtown is terrible almost all the time, adding 15 minutes to any trip, so I don't know that I would have gone even if we had been in town. At the end of the construction, we'll have a roundabout, and won't life be wonderful when that happens? Take that comment however you want.
I did manage a walk through the rides that occupied the parking lot between Union and Cass. So wonderfully quiet. The downside of walking at 7AM is that you can't get an elephant ear, the best part of fairs.
That blue ride in the left third of the picture is Pharoah's Fury. A few years ago, it started to come off its moorings as the ride was swinging back and forth. No one was hurt, but the ride was gone the next day. I imagine they fixed it as it was back for this year's Cherry Festival.
The closest I got to a Cherry Festival when it was open was on the water off of West End Beach. Our boating friends invited us to a day in the sun involving burgers, brats and beers - and other assorted beverages. The water was too cold for me and nothing but by feet go wet.
A day on the boat was followed by viewing the fireworks from Greilickville. The best part about that viewing location for me is that I didn't have to fight traffic to get home.
Our plan next year is to stay in Michigan during the summer - European trips from now on will be in the shoulder seasons so we can enjoy Michigan's best season.