Experience Timeless Tradition at the North East Firemen's Cherry Festival

Tuesday, July 10th

There are events that surprise us — concerts, film screenings, benefits, etc. — and then there are those that we anticipate yearly. The North East Firemen's Cherry Festival (or Cherryfest, as the locals call it) is one of the latter. Over the span of five days, rides, exclusive foods, and events are contained within the festival's free fairgrounds.

Upon entry, festival-goers have the option of purchasing a daily Ride-A-Rama pass. If fair rides make your stomach churn, perhaps the Sausage Tent or Fry Barn will be your speed; the latter features a special "once-a-year blend" made by Smiths Provisions, used to create the iconic sausage sandwich served at the tent. Elsewhere, the Ladies Auxiliary tent offers Cherryfest's "official cherry pie" alongside numerous Greek sauce-covered meats. Of course, this is all secondary to the main events: Saturday's 4 p.m. parade and the crowning of a Cherry Queen on Thursday at 7 p.m. Whatever your reason for attending, Cherryfest is the perfect excuse for the entire family to take part in a wealth of local customs. — Aaron Mook

Tuesday through Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 11 p.m. // 311 North Lake Street // necherryfestival.com