National Cherry Festival

This page was last updated May 20, 2024 for the 2024 Festival, and information provided is subject to change.

Don’t want to park downtown at all? TAKE THE BAYLINE FROM BATA! Click here for more information! The Bayline is a FREE east-west circulator that has multiple free park-n-ride stops.

 

Current Parking Permit Holders

Surface Permit Holder Alternative Parking

Parkers displaced by lot closures have access to the Old Town parking structure by using the barcode on their surface permit hangtag.

Display Your Parking Permit

Permits MUST be displayed at all times both for garage and surface lot permit holders. Garage permit holders may be denied access during peak times for failure to display

Festival Parking Rates

Event rates will be in effect on various days throughout the festival. Parkers may pull a ticket and pay the hourly rate for the first two hours of parking in both parking structures before event rates will go into effect.

Airshow

All day Saturday, June 29th-Sunday, June 30th

  • $20 – Hardy Parking Structure
  • $20 – Old Town Parking Structure

All Day Rate

4th of July, Tuesday

  • $10 – Hardy Parking Structure
  • $10 – Old Town Parking Structure

Saturday, July 8th

  • $10 – Hardy Parking Structure
  • $10 – Old Town Parking Structure

Fireworks

After 7 PM, Thursday July 4th

  • $5 – Hardy Parking Structure
  • $5 – Old Town Parking Structure

After 7 PM, Saturday, July 6th

  • $5 – Hardy Parking Structure
  • $5 – Old Town Parking Structure

Parades

After 5 PM, Thursday July 4th & before 1 PM Saturday, July 6th

  • Hourly rates apply – Hardy Parking Structure
  • Hourly rates apply – Old Town Parking Structure

Metered Parking Lots

For the duration of the festival, all metered parking lots will increase to a 10-hour parking limit. (time limits increased at pay stations, but not through Parkmobile mobile pay application)

Saturday, June 30th-Saturday, July 6th

  • $1.50 per hour, $20 daily maximum

Parade Parking

For the “best kept secret” for parade parking, access one of our two parking garages on the parade route and avoid street closures.

Hardy Parking Garage, 303 East State Street may be accessed by starting from Cass & Eighth, head north on Cass Street, turn right at State Street and arrive at the Hardy Parking Garage on the left.

Old Town Parking Garage, 125 East Eighth Street may be accessed by starting from Cass & Eighth, head west on Eighth Street and arrive at the Old Town Parking Garage on the right.

 

Parking Closures & Restricted Parking

Lot B

Carnival and Midway Operations will take over the permit lot corner of Union & Grandview Parkway Wednesday, June 26th 11:30 PM -Sunday, July 7th

Lot C

Police Command Center will take over the metered lot south of Grandview Parkway between Cass and Park Streets Wednesday, June 26th 5:00 PM-Sunday, July 7th

Lot D

Grand Traverse Sheriff Dive Team will take over the metered boat launch spaces in the lot south of Grandview Parkway between Park Street Thursday, June 28th-Sunday, June 30th. All double spaces for vehicles with trailer only will be unavailable. All single vehicle spaces are available for festival parking.

Marina Drive

Festival Operations will take over the metered parking north of Grandview Parkway, east of Open Space from Tuesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 7th

Lot M

Festival Operations will take over the metered lot in Duncan Clinch Marina Area Tuesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 7th

Old Town – Ground level 125 East Eighth Street

The Farmers Market will relocate to the ground level of the parking garage. Access is available from the west alley off of both Lake Avenue and Eighth Street. Regular parking will resume after the market.

Parking is restricted and unavailable:
Saturday, June 29th 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Wednesday, July 3rd 6:00 AM-12:00 PM
Saturday, July 6th 6:00 AM-12:00 PM

Lot RB

Festival Operations will take over the metered lot north of Grandview Parkway, east of sand volleyball courts from Tuesday, June 25th – Sunday, July 7th

Lot T

Carnival and Midway Operations will take over the permit lot corner of Union & Grandview Parkway Wednesday, June 26th 11:30 PM -Sunday, July 7th

Festival Parking FAQ

My car was towed. Where is it?

We will attempt to relocate any vehicle that is towed from a closure location to another parking lot within walking distance in the downtown area. The most common locations would be parking lots E, or P. If you cannot locate your vehicle and need further assistance, please call Brickyard Towing (231) 947-8697. Be prepared to give your license plate, state and vehicle description.

Where can I park my RV or bus?

The downtown area does not have any oversized (double) parking spaces. All oversized vehicles that do not fit into the designated lines of parking are required to pay for the multiple spaces that are occupied.

Do you allow motorcycles in the parking garages?

No. Motorcycles are not permitted to enter under parking gates as recommended for safety reasons by the manufacturer.

Does the event rate allow re-entry?

No. All event rates are valid for one entry.

What do I do if I lost my event parking pass?

Event parking passes cannot be replaced and lost ticket fees will be assessed.