Traverse City Wine and Art Festival returns

Traverse City is the place to be in the summer if you're into festivals, whether it's about cherries, food, art, wine or music.

The Traverse City Wine & Art Festival is coming up on June 30, and it combines all of those fantastic Northwest Michigan things in one celebration. Wine and art are backed by a large and diverse slate of musicians and restaurants.

Festival organizer Laura Herd says that's the aim of the festival, which is held at the Grand Traverse Commons.

"This is the one event that brings nearly all the wineries of our region together to celebrate the sights, sounds and tastes of Northern Michigan," Herd says. "What really sets our festival apart is how we combine culinary and cultural artistry to stimulate and excite your palate, letting you enjoy the fantastic wines and ciders our region has to offer as you dance, dine, and watch extraordinary performers in the gorgeous and historic arboretum of the Grand Traverse Commons."

The headlining band is fusion-world-rock group Rusted Root, in a return to Traverse City. Other performers will be Orpheum Bell, Lauren Mann and the Fairly Odd Folk, and the Naughty Neighbors.

Added to that, if you're coming for the wine, there will be 27 northern Michigan wineries, and more than 100 wines. A ticket includes two glasses, although we certainly suggest sampling more than that.

Area restaurants will offer small plates for pairing or just snacking throughout the day; they will include Trattoria Stella, Chez Peres, Mana, Poppycocks, Siren Hall, Little Bohemia, Phil's on Front, Om Café and Bourbons 72.

The festival is presented by Turtle Creek Hotel and Casinos, while Rusted Root and other entertainers are sponsored by Cherry Capital Subaru. Other sponsors are Up North Distributing, UpNorthLive.com, ArtCenter Traverse City and Traverse Legal.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Laura Herd, Traverse City Wine & Art Festival