Good morning, Traverse City.

Two Air Force fighter pilot teams landed at the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City on Thursday ahead of the National Cherry Festival air show this weekend.

The F-22 Raptor Demo Team (from Langley, Virginia) said they are excited to fire flares and join the F-35-B Lightning Demo Team when the display begins.

A small craft advisory was in effect for Grand Traverse Bay from 11 a.m. June 27th to 8 p.m. EDT, as gusts reached 25 kts from the southwest and posed hazards for small vessels.

TC Phil will present a John Williams tribute concert at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center on July 21 at 7 p.m.—he drew a large crowd when his film scores were featured at Rotary Square in 2023.

Inland Seas Education Association announced its $11.1 million Campaign for the Future of Great Lakes Education to expand its Suttons Bay campus—adding new facilities and staff to boost science-based programming.

The group has raised 73% of its goal and will soon serve 10,000 people annually, up from nearly 7,000 in 2024.

Dr. Carol McKee and board member Courtney Protz-Sanders are seeking Senate Bill 106 to issue a Pet Friendly specialty license plate—half of the sale funds will support low-cost spay and neuter clinics statewide—to help ease overcrowding at animal shelters.

In Greilickville, contractors continue work on Grandview Parkway and M-22 as they overhaul the busy intersection and roadway.

Traffic was shifted from two lanes to four and demolition cleared old pavement on M-22’s west side from M-72 to Cherry Bend Road—work that will move forward in the coming days.

Traverse City Light & Power Board approved a 3-year contract extension for Executive Director Brandie Ekren—this includes a 6.5% raise following a strong performance review and extends her service until June 2028.

Ekren joined the utility in early 2022.

Routine sampling on June 25th showed five Grand Traverse County public beaches exceeded state water quality standards, so the health department issued a Level 2 advisory for Bryant Park and Level 3 advisories for Sunset Park, Clinch Park, TC Volleyball Beach and West End Beach—follow-up sampling was conducted on June 26th with results expected Friday morning.

Cheap Trick Live Concert

6:00-7:30 p.m. — National Cherry Festival — Ticket details available — Experience rock and roll with the iconic Cheap Trick in Traverse City.

Home Free Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — National Cherry Festival — Ticket info not provided — Experience the all-vocal country sounds of Home Free at this lively festival.

Clint Weaner Live Performance

6-9 p.m. — Broomstack Kitchen and Taphouse — Check out an evening of live music and great food.

Black Star Farms Estate & Wine Tour

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Black Star Farms Winery and Inn — Price details not provided — Explore the scenic beauty and history of the vineyard and wine cave on a guided tour.

1000 Watt Prophets Live Performance

5-9 p.m. — St. Ambrose Cellars — Entrance fee may apply — Experience the soulful genre-bending sound of the power trio 1000 Watt Prophets.

Pinter Whitnick Live Performance

4-6:30 p.m. — Boathouse Vineyards — Enjoy an afternoon of live music at a scenic vineyard on the Leelanau Peninsula.

Black Star Farms Estate & Wine Tour

11 AM – 1 PM — Black Star Farms Winery and Inn — Ticketed event — Explore the scenic vineyard and learn about the history of wine-making in beautiful northern Michigan.

Grand Traverse Bay Wine Tasting Cruise

Sailing at sunset — 2 hours — Schooner Manitou — Prices vary — Experience local wines while enjoying stunning views and wildlife on Grand Traverse Bay.

Kenosha Kingfish vs. Traverse City Pit Spitters

7:05-8:35 p.m. — Turtle Creek Stadium — Fun night of retro tunes and baseball with special guests — Big hair, neon vibes, and the Cherryland Ghostbusters bring the nostalgia.

Max Lockwood Trio Concert

7 PM - 1 AM — Elk Rapids Day Park — Free entry — Experience heartfelt lyricism and classic rock vibes under the stars with Max Lockwood Trio.