Justin Moore to headline National Cherry Festival 100th Bayside stage

Country artist Justin Moore will perform on the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, on Friday, July 10 as part of the National Cherry Festival's 100th celebration. The festival announced tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at cherryfestival.org and has introduced a new reserved seating structure for the Bayside stage.

For the Moore concert the festival lists premium reserved seating at $62 to $90 depending on seat location, general admission at $60 and the Turtle Creek Casino VIP Deck at $185. The new pricing system creates six reserved seating levels across the Bayside stage, a change organizers say is designed to better match demand and venue layout. “We’re thrilled to welcome Justin Moore back to the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage,” Executive Director Kat Paye said. “Since his last visit in 2014, he has continued to deliver hit after hit, offering fans a fresh and exciting show they haven’t seen before.”

The festival described Moore as a multi-platinum country artist whose latest single, “This Is My Dirt,” recently became his 13th No. 1 hit. The 2026 centennial is being billed as a milestone that honors Northern Michigan’s cherry industry, traditions and community spirit, and organizers expect the lineup to draw regional visitors and local families alike.

Beyond the music, the announcement matters for Grand Traverse County's economy and public health planning. Large concerts in downtown Traverse City bring hotel and restaurant business and boost seasonal hires, but they also require coordination from emergency services, transit providers and public health partners. Residents should expect heavier traffic around the waterfront and added demand for on-site medical aid, cooling stations and accessible seating.

The involvement of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as stage presenter highlights a growing intersection of health systems and community events. That sponsorship could present opportunities for public health outreach at festival venues, but the ticket pricing update also raises questions about equitable access. Higher-tier tickets and VIP offerings can price lower-income residents out of premier waterfront viewing, making outreach and affordable access a civic concern as organizers finalize plans.

For families, elders and people with mobility needs, key considerations will include availability of accessible entrances, shaded areas and on-site medical stations. Festival-goers should check the festival website for accessibility information and parking and transit options once details are posted.

The centennial celebration is bound to be a sweet spot for downtown businesses and cherry country pride, but it also reminds us that big summer events are public-health and equity issues as much as entertainment. Our two cents? If you plan to go, buy tickets early if budget allows, scout accessible routes and bring a water bottle and a plan for getting home safely — that way everyone can enjoy the music and the cherries.