Chase Matthew and Lauren Alaina to Celebrate 100 Years of Cherry Festival in Traverse City

The National Cherry Festival is celebrating 100 years in 2026, which means we’ve had a full century of parades, pie, air shows, waterfront concerts and of course- a whole lot of Michigan pride. And for the centennial, organizers are bringing in two of the biggest country stars, who are both having major moments right now: Chase Matthew and Lauren Alaina.

According to an announcement, the two will perform on Monday, July 6th at the Pepsi Bayside Music Stage.

Hopefully, this means that means fans will likely get to hear their duet “All My Exes,” which is has been climbing the charts. Since the song has been getting a lot of attention, pairing that momentum with a Cherry Festival crowd feels like a smart move.

Chase Matthew, especially, has been on a steady rise. After just earning his first career No. 1 at country radio at the end of 2025, he’s hitting the road all over the US.

What’s also awesome is how often Chase comes back to Michigan. While country music is still often associated with the South, Michigan has quietly built one of the most loyal country fan bases in the country, and Chase seems to recognize that, and continues to book dates here regularly.

Lauren Alaina brings her own track record of success. Since first stepping into the national spotlight, she has built a career on big radio hits and as a new mom, she’s hitting the road with even more energy than ever.

Together, the two balance each other well, and that chemistry has translated clearly into their collaboration.

The concert is part of a much larger milestone year. For 100 years, the National Cherry Festival has been rooted in celebrating the region’s cherry industry and the community that grew around it. Generations of families have traditions tied to this week, whether that means watching the parades, heading to the midway, or spending long evenings along the bay.

Wanna go? Tickets for the July 6th show go on sale Friday, March 6 at 9 am, with tickets starting at $53.

As the festival rolls out more details for its centennial celebration, this concert stands out as one of the headline moments. Afterall, a 100-year milestone deserves something big, and bringing in two country artists who are actively shaping the genre right now feels like the perfect way to celebrate it.