Featured Events in Traverse City

From Traverse Ticker’s Event Calendar:

• Thursday, August 28

  • The Benzie County Players Present “Steel Magnolias” — 7:00 p.m., Mills Community House in Benzonia

  • Viridian Strings: Reflections and Innovations — String quartet concert, 7:00 p.m., The Alluvion (TC)

• Friday, August 29

  • Alden Sidewalk Sales — starting at 9:00 a.m., Downtown Alden

  • Loop The Lake — 6:00 p.m., Hull Park, Traverse City

  • Repeat of Steel Magnolias and Viridian Strings event listings

• Saturday, August 30

  • Alden Sidewalk Sales — again at 9:00 a.m.

  • Friends of Alden District Library Book Sale — 9:00 a.m., Alden Township Community Center

  • Elks Lodge Car Show — 11:00 a.m., TC Elk Lodge #323

  • Labor Day Weekend Tent Sale — 11:00 a.m., Crystal Mountain (Thompsonville)

  • Saturday Family Concerts — 11:00 a.m., TC Philharmonic Center

  • Bay to Braman Bolt 6: Ultimate Uphill Challenge — 12:00 p.m., Northport Bay Marina

  • Local Author Ann Goethals appearance — 3:00 p.m., Glen Lake Community Library (Empire)

  • Saturdays in the Park — 7:00 p.m., Grand Traverse County Civic Center Amphitheater

  • No Quarter Comedy featuring Jeff Richards + guests — 8:00 p.m., City Opera House

• Sunday, August 31

  • Alden Sidewalk Sales — 9:00 a.m.

  • Labor Day Weekend Tent Sale continues — 10:00 a.m., Crystal Mountain

Quote Of The Day

"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." - John Muir

Traverse City’s traditions are taking on a fresh glow as the community embraces the Martha Stewart aesthetic, where rustic elegance meets artisanal sensibilities.

This emerging style is deeply woven into the city’s fabric, elevating local flavor and longstanding values.

At the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, booths overflow with herbs, squash, and hand-arranged bouquets, blending utility and beauty in classic mason jars.

Area restaurants like Mari Vineyards invite diners to long, linen-draped harvest tables for communal meals spotlighting local produce and shared tradition.

On Old Mission Peninsula, workshops now focus on bread-baking, pottery, and farmhouse floristry, celebrating craftsmanship and connection.

At home, porch suppers and cozy interiors brimming with wildflowers and preserved cherries echo these creative rhythms.

Traverse City’s take on the trend stands out for its authenticity—a genuine blend of resourcefulness, tradition, and pride in the slower, homegrown way of life.

The inaugural Traverse City Food & Wine Festival launched August 20, 2025, transforming Open Space Park into a bustling showcase of regional flavors and craftsmanship.

Over five lively days, visitors explored the area’s agricultural roots and vibrant wine scene, highlighted by the Grand Tasting on August 23.

More than 1,000 guests sampled gourmet dishes and over 100 local wines, framed by stunning bay views.

Food Network personality Tyler Florence led the festivities, joined by acclaimed chefs like Mei Lin and Sarah Welch—all hosting engaging chef demos and sharing culinary wisdom.

Special events included wine sails, chef luncheons with experts like Ji Hye Kim, and spirited rooftop gatherings.

Local wineries, including Chateau Grand Traverse, welcomed festivalgoers for private tours and exclusive tastings.

The festival, produced by Traverse City Tourism, celebrated local food, wine, and community—solidifying the city’s status as a premier culinary destination.

Interesting Facts

Traverse City is kicking off fall early as local cafés and markets serve up pumpkin spice favorites ahead of schedule.

At Brew TC, pumpkin cream cold brews dusted with nutmeg give residents a flavorful preview of autumn.

Higher Grounds Coffee pairs the city's cherry tradition with pumpkin-cherry scones, blending classic northern Michigan tastes.

Meanwhile, the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market has shifted to Rotary Square while Grandview Parkway is under construction, with vendors tempting shoppers with spiced blends and small-batch pumpkin butter.

The early arrival of these autumn treats has locals, like teacher Annalise Brooks, savoring lattes during brisk mornings along the Boardman River Trail.

As fall color seekers arrive to admire the maples on Old Mission Peninsula, pumpkin spice beverages offer a warm, inviting touch to their visits.

For local businesses, pumpkin spice signals the shift to fall, keeping the city vibrant between festival season and winter.

In Traverse City, autumn is truly arriving in every cup and scone.

Secret Little Hack

Create a sense of urgency by including exclusive deals or promotions that are only available for a limited time.

This will encourage readers to act quickly and engage with your newsletter.

Traverse City, known for its cherries and stunning Lake Michigan views, is catching onto a fresh style wave: the cross necklace.

Once mostly religious, the cross necklace now stands out as a fashion staple, seamlessly pairing with anything from sundresses to business blazers.

Boutiques such as Cherry Hill Boutique and Belleza are leading the way, featuring elegant gold and silver options ideal for layering.

At the Downtown Farmers Market, local artisans craft unique versions using recycled metals and Great Lakes pearls, adding rustic, homegrown charm.

Vintage lovers flock to Ella’s Vintage for cross necklaces with an antique patina that blend nostalgia with modern style.

During events like the Traverse City Film Festival, both locals and visitors showcase these necklaces, expressing the city’s blend of tradition and trend.

In Traverse City, the cross necklace has become more than an accessory—it’s a symbol of the community’s creativity and spirit of reinvention.

Chef Tyler Florence wowed food lovers at the first-ever Traverse City Food & Wine Festival with a dynamic live-fire cooking demonstration inspired by his latest cookbook, American Grill.

Florence prepared his flavorful Reverse-Seared Grilled Chicken with house-made BBQ Sauce, serving it alongside Marge’s Potato Salad and a vibrant Grilled Peach Panzanella Salad.

Set on the picturesque Grand Traverse Bay, Florence showed off the art of dry-brining to boost juiciness, then finished the chicken on the grill for a perfect result.

His smoky BBQ sauce featured bacon, fresh herbs, and a blend of spices, with Florence encouraging the crowd to create their own signature twists.

Recalling his early career at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Florence called his return a meaningful homecoming.

The festival showcased top chefs including Mei Lin, Sarah Welch, and Celina Tio, delivering an unforgettable culinary celebration.

Tip of The Day

Check out upcoming events in your area and include them in your next newsletter to keep your readers engaged and informed about what's happening in the community!