A performance by country music star Frankie Ballard is among the Cherry Festival event highlights today (Wednesday). Here's a look at other key events on the schedule.

Wednesday, July 6

> Sara Hardy Farmers Market & Brunch: Shop local produce and enjoy brunch from area vendors at the Old Town Parking Deck between Lake and Eighth streets from 7:30am to 12pm. The first 100 shoppers will receive a voucher for $5 to spend at the market.
> Fun and Games for Special Kids: A fun-filled morning for hearing, visually, physically impaired, and developmentally disabled children. Activities include pie making, an obstacle course, face painting and a trip to the Midway hosted by Ivan and Agnes Arnold of Arnold Amusements. Wheelchair repair will be available on site during Special Kids Day, provided by Bay Home Medical. The vent runs from 9am to noon.
> Seniors' Shuffleboard Tournament: Equipment is provided (or bring your own) to this Traverse City Senior Center event from 9am to 1pm. Participants must pre-register and be 50 or older. Prizes are awarded to top finishers. No fee required.
> Orchard Tour & More: The National Cherry Festival and Michigan State University Extension invite you to escape to a 100-acre research farm in the heart of Cherry Country. Visit a productive orchard in Leelanau County, where fruit and festival come together at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station operated by Michigan State University Extension. In addition to the guided orchard tours, there are exhibits and samples of the newest cherry products and technology inside the station. There will be "cherry" fun for kids, including a petting zoo, hands-on experiments, kids poster coloring contest and other activities. Shuttles will pick up on the west side of the Traverse City Visitor's Center on Garland Street; look for the "Orchard Tour and More" shuttle sign. The bus is scheduled to leave every hour from 9:30am until noon and will make return trips back to Traverse City.
> Kids Bicycle Rodeo: A timed obstacle course for age groups 5/6, 7/8, and 9/10 year-olds at the Grand Traverse Mall parking lot (near Pier One) from 10am to noon.. Boys and girls have their own heats in each age category. Children must bring their own bikes and helmets to participate. Registration starts at 9:00am and ends at 9:45am. No fee required.
> Royale Pageant of Fashion & Luncheon: Attend a luncheon at the Park Place Hotel from 11:30am to 2pm and view the latest fashions modeled by National Cherry Queen Danielle Bott and her royal court! This year's Royale Fashion Show's theme is "Cherry Capital Couture."
> Intergenerational Picnic: Grand Traverse Pavilions will host this event for grandparents and grandchildren from noon to 2pm at the Pavilions campus adjacent to Elmwood Street near Munson Medical Center.
> Kids Cherry Town Fun Night: Bring the family to F&M Park from 4pm to 8pm for a fun-filled evening of entertainment for all ages. Many performers, hands-on activities and food. No fee required.
> Frankie Ballard: County star Frankie Ballard performs with special guest William Michael Morgan at the Bay Side Music Stage from 6pm to 11pm.

Also Offered Daily...

> Beer Tent: 12pm to 11pm
> Cherry Farmer's Market at Open Space: 10am to 11pm
> Go For The Gold Pin Program: 10am to 11pm
> Festival Souvenir Tent: 10am to 11pm
> Arnold Amusements Midway: 11am to 12am