cherry fest float
to feature drakes

TRAVERSE CITY - Parade revelers at the 82nd annual National Cherry Festival will now be able to see the best and brightest of the region's hockey crop on one float. The 'Heroes of Hockeyton North' parade entry - sitting atop a 24-foot Premiere Pontoon boat donated by Dewitt Marine near Bellaire - will feature players from the youth Grand Traverse Hockey Association, Traverse City Central, Traverse City West and the Bay Reps high school varsity programs, and Traverse City North Stars junior-A squad.

And to put a cherry on top of the week-long festival, Detroit Red Wings forward Dallas Drake and family will join the float as the parade's Celebrity Grand Marshall. Drake is fresh off a Stanley Cup championship last month, and took 'wing' last weekend with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Thursday's Junior Royale Parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in downtown Traverse City, with Saturday's Cherry Royale Parade kicking off at 11:15 a.m.