With cherries being a fickle crop to grow, farmers in the 1920s sought divine blessing for their fruit and organized a Blessing of the Blossoms ceremony. This prayer and the desire to attract tourists to the region sparked a more organized celebration featuring a parade and beauty contest in 1925. Recognizing the popularity of the now annual event, the Michigan Legislature renamed it the National Cherry Festival in 1928. As the festival expanded, popular attractions included parades, the crowning of the Cherry Queen, carnivals, concerts, air shows, and spaces to purchase and enjoy cherries.
