Cherry blossoms were once celebrated in Leelanau County, and volunteers are hoping to again spotlight their beauty.
A resurgent Leelanau County Cherry Blossom Tour has been scheduled for Saturday, May 10, with our hills of orchards providing the backdrop for a leisurely bus ride free to all takers. There will be no charge for the tour.
Years ago, a Blossom Tour was offered annually by agricultural leaders in Leelanau County at about the same time the “Blessing of the Blossoms” ceremony was celebrated in Grand Traverse County. While the blessing event remains today, the blossom tour has long been discontinued — until this year.
The event, which will start and end at the Connie Binsfeld Building in Lake Leelanau, will also feature a free lunch with cherry brats from Pleva’s Market in Cedar and those famous Cherry Republic Boomchunka cookies. We are lining up a local vocal group to swoon tour goes between bus rides.
The Leelanau County Cherry Blossom Tour is sponsored by the Leelanau Conservation District, Leelanau Conservancy and the Leelanau Enterprise, with several other organizations pitching in to put Leelanau’s best — and prettiest — face forward at a special time of year.
Buses provided by Bay Area Transportation Authority will begin and end their trips at the Binsfeld Center. Tour takers can stay on the bus throughout its journey, or get off at preplanned stops.
Highlighted on the tour will be the pretty views offered from a vantage point at St. Wenceslaus Church, an historic building in its own right with elaborate stained glass windows. A second stop will be hosted by the Gregory families at Cherry Bay Orchard.
Buses will leave and arrive at the Binsfeld Center in 20-minute intervals. Tour patrons can remain at stops to take pictures and chat, then board another bus to be transported along the tour.
Information about the importance of the cherry industry to Leelanau County — as well as efforts to keep that industry strong — will be provided as part the tour. Highlights along the tour route, including descriptions of area farms, will be pointed out by volunteers guiding the tour.
Buses will depart the Binsfeld Building from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with the last bus scheduled to arrive back at 3 p.m. Seating on the buses will be offered on a “first-come, first-served” basis, although maps will be available for people who want to take the tour in their own vehicles.
The Leelanau Cherry Blossom Tour will offer an ideal day trip for senior citizens. We are encouraging our older residents or those with handicaps to participate. Wheel chair lifts will be provided on tour buses.
Information about the tour is available at LeelanauNews.com, the website for the Leelanau Enterprise, and at TheConservancy.com, the website for the Leelanau Conservancy. Contact the Leelanau Conservancy at 231 256-9665 for further information or to volunteer.