Media Contacts:

J. Michael DeAgostino Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
800-748-0303, ext 6352
publicrelations@gtresort.com

or

Susan Wilcox Olson
National Cherry Festival
231-947-4230
susan@cherryfestival.org

or

Mike Norton
Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau
800-940-1120
mnorton@VisitTraverseCity.com

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., November 16, 2007  --  It’s not too early to make plans for a long weekend getaway to enjoy Michigan’s newest winter festival filled with fun for the entire family. The 2nd Annual Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest will be held over President’s Day Weekend, February 15-18, 2008 at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and in Downtown Traverse City.

Activities planned during the four-day festival include a Winter Fun Zone, Ice Skating, Pony Rides, Broom Ball, Inflatable Play Structures, Bonfires, Festival Food & Beverages, Loverboy in Concert at the Resort, Fireworks at the Resort, Bed Race, Sledding, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Ice Carvings, Chili Cook-Off, Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides, Film Festival, Miss Heart of Michigan Pageant at the Resort, Polar Plunge, Snowmobile Rides, Frozen Foot Race, Hot Air Balloon Rides, Cherry Pit Spit Contest, Frozen Fish Toss, and more.

The inaugural Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest in 2007 was presented by Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and the National Cherry Festival, with all activities at the Resort.  The inaugural event was so successful that the 2008 CCWWF will be expanded to become a community-wide celebration of winter using both the Resort and Downtown Traverse City as venues for activities.  

The 2008 CCWWF will be presented by Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and the National Cherry Festival with additional partners including the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Traverse City Association, and Special Olympics Michigan.  A portion of the proceeds support the life-changing programs of Special Olympics Michigan.

More information will be available as the schedule of activities is determined.  Information will be available on the Web sites of all participating partners:  www.grandtraverseresort.com ,  www.cherryfestival.org ,   www.visittraversecity.com ,  www.downtowntc.com ,  and  www.somi.org  . 

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