Summer Report Card 2026: Traverse City's Peak Season Was a Celebratory, Smoky, Gridlocked Mixed Bag
By Craig Manning | Sept. 17, 2026
The recipe was there for the busiest summer in Traverse City history. Preliminary numbers offer conflicting reports about how things actually shook out.
Speaking to the Traverse City Business News at the outset of summer, Trevor Tkach, president and CEO of Traverse City Tourism, predicted a summer for the record books. Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) was coming off a record-breaking 2025, Traverse City was preparing to celebrate 100 years of the National Cherry Festival, and the nation’s 250th birthday was looming.
“I was extremely bullish,” Tkach tells The Ticker three months later. “I really was anticipating a lot of road trips, some big domestic travel increases, and maybe …
Read More >>MSU, U of M Baseball Teams Plot Traverse City Exhibition Game
Good news, Spartan and Wolverine fans: Traverse City will be the host for a fall exhibition game …
Read More >>River Retaining Wall in “Serious” Condition; DDA/City Consider Options for Area
A new inspection report has flagged the retaining wall along the Boardman River in the 100-block alley …
Read More >>
Commissioners Weigh West End Options
Traverse City commissioners are pumping the brakes on a process to redevelop six city-owned parcels on State …
Read More >>Seventh Street Closures Start Today
Traverse City crews will close Seventh Street daily starting Monday, September 14 to perform a mill -and-fill …
Read More >>Today Thursday, September 17, 2026
9:00 AM
"At Least A Dozen Friends"
Margo Burian is known as a painter of quiet, atmospheric landscapes, waterscapes, farmsteads, & rowboats hitched to old … More Info >>9:00 AM
"Taking Flight"
Invitational group exhibition featuring the works of Shanny Brooke (paintings), Cynthia Marks (ceramic vessels) & Michelle Tock York … More Info >>9:00 AM
Long Lake Farmers Market
Kicks off June 4 & runs every Thurs. through Oct. 1. Held near the bocce ball courts. More Info >>9:30 AM
"For the Birds" Art Exhibition
Featuring local & international artists whose work explores diversity among birds, & their importance to our shared ecosystem. … More Info >>10:00 AM
"Americana"
Artists across the Great Lakes region explore the many meanings of Americana through contemporary & traditional works that … More Info >>10:00 AM
Artist-in-Residence Talk
During her Glen Arbor Arts Center artist's residency, Honore Lee will create a series of shoreline & Sleeping … More Info >>10:00 AM
Benzie County Connects
How can Benzie County meet the need for affordable housing while protecting the natural environment that defines the … More Info >>10:00 AM
Guild Pop-Up Exhibit: Jessica Kovan
"Mama Love" is about taking care of the world & each other. Every living thing was once somebody’s … More Info >>2:00 PM
East Bay Corners Farmers Market
Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade items & more while connecting with neighbors & supporting regional farmers … More Info >>4:00 PM
Northern Michigan Compost Crawl
Sept. 14-18. Today is "Get Your Hands Dirty." Kids Dig It! A family fun day at SEEDS Compost … More Info >>5:30 PM
Live in the Hoop House
An Autumn Harvest Celebration featuring the Charlie Millard Band, with opener Sean Kelly, Elberta Pizza Co. food truck, … More Info >>6:00 PM
International Affairs Forum
Segal Diplomacy Series - U.S. Intelligence in The 21st Century: National Security in an Era of Disruption. Featuring … More Info >>7:00 PM
Mad Angler Trio
Featuring Crispin Campbell (cello), Steve Stargardt (piano), & Joe Wilson (guitar). Joining them will be "The Mad Angler" … More Info >>7:30 PM
9 to 5 The Musical
When three vastly different office workers are pushed to the brink by their sexist, egotistical boss, they don't … More Info >>City Braces for Historic Retirement Wave
Read More >>Local Kitten Rescue Calls for More Responsible Pet Owners
Read More >>Jet Has Landing Gear Alert at TVC
Read More >>Shooting For The Moon, TC Artist Lands At ArtPrize
Read More >>
Copy That: Local Print Shop For Sale
Read More >>Local Athlete Makes National Wheelchair Curling Team
Read More >>Northwest Michigan Housing Summit Set for Oct. 26–27
Read More >>Abdul El-Sayed Will Appear at Upcoming Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Event
Read More >>Downtown Halloween Walk Moving to Weekday
Read More >>Garfield Township Preps for South Airport Pipe Replacement
Read More >>
