Cherry Blossom Time, Benzie County Michigan, photo by John Clement Howe.

The photo is part of John’s amazing Benzie County! photo set (slideshow) and it’s no coincidence that the next photo is a tasty looking morel mushroom – both cherry blossoms and morels are found at the same time of year!

Every May, the cherry trees of Michigan burst forth in white clouds of splendor, and dwelling as I do in the heart of Michigan’s cherry country, I am lucky enough to have a front row seat. I was struck by how little presence Michigan has in the cherry blossom information that can be found online. We’re just an afterthought on Wikipedia’s Sakura (cherry blossom) entry and event a search for Michigan cherry blossoms yields mostly Japanese restaurants.

I suppose that the fruit has become the bigger deal, but it wasn’t always that way. In their History of the National Cherry Festival, the Agile Writer notes that the Festival began in 1910 with a prayer ceremony for a good cherry crop. It was formalized in 1925, when the cherry growers partnered with Traverse City merchants to create the “Blessing of the Blossoms Festival” to promote the region and the cherry business.

• The annual Blossomtime Festival takes place this weekend (first weekend of May) in Southwest Michigan.
• A search for “blossom” at the Leland Report finds a lot of photos including this beauty of a White Barn, White Blossoms & White Clouds.
• On Saturday, May 10th Leelanau County will host a Cherry Blossom Tour with free bus rides to orchards – a great photo outing!
• The Wineries of Old Mission host their annual Blossom Days May 17th & 18th.
• Here’s a Blossom slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool that’s heavy on cherry blossoms!
• There’s got to be more! Post anything you know or questions you have below!