Upcoming Events: Barn Sale, Bayshore Marathon, Church Treasure Sale, Blessing of the Blossoms & More

Here’s a roundup of upcoming events on the Old Mission Peninsula…

WOMEN’S CLUB BARN SALE – MAY 15 & 16

The Old Mission Women’s Club is hosting their annual Barn Sale Extravaganza on Friday, May 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., and Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The event will take place at the historic Fowler Barn, 6782 Center Road. The club has been organizing this event for months and has plenty of amazing treasures for all ages, including small furniture pieces, toys, tools, lamps, linens, kitchenware, jewelry, accessories, pictures and home decor, sporting equipment, Christmas decor and much more.

Profits from the sale provide financial grants to nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations that operate in the Grand Traverse area. All major credit cards are accepted.

As a side note, the Fowler Barn is featured in Evelyn Johnson’s book, “Barns of Old Mission Peninsula.” During World War II, a Peninsula newsletter full of folksy news was published by David Murray (read a little of it here) and sent to all the servicemen. In the Sept/Oct 1944 newsletter, his wife, Carol Murray, wrote this about the barn:

“The first thing that strikes our eyes as we leave the fork in the road and dodge Mrs. Trimmer’s guinea hens is Frank Mathison’s new barn. Frank thought he was going to join you all but the Army said no, so he is going to raise some good beef for you. His dad-in-law, Ben Konig, is helping him build just the latest thing in barns, and it is up to about the third story now, and it sure looks like a dilly.”

SPRING CLEAN-UP AT THE DOUGHERTY HOUSE – MAY 16

Join the crew at the Dougherty Mission House for a Spring Clean-Up! No need to call or register anywhere – just show up at the historic home, 18459 Mission Road, on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. Help shake off winter doldrums for the Dougherty’s opening day on June 3rd! New volunteers are always welcome!

If you need more info, feel free to email Sharron Zimmerman, [email protected]. Check out their beautiful new website here and learn more about this historic gem in our OMP community.

The clean-up kicked off with the Girl Scout Troop from Old Mission Peninsula School – they pulled eight big garbage bags full of garlic mustard from the Dougherty Mission House grounds. Thank you, ladies, for a job well done! Here they are with Connie Sargent, MSU Master Gardener and Garden Committee Chair. As a thank-you, the girls were given coupons for ice cream at Buchan’s Blueberry Farm.

CHURCH TREASURE SALE – MAY 16

The Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church is hosting their annual treasure sale on Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., 16426 Center Road. There are always lots of great treasures to be found — including toys, home decor, antiques and electronics — at this annual fundraiser for the church. And you will likely see these two there — Helen Mumford and Dave Tuttle.

BLESSING OF THE BLOSSOMS – MAY 16

St. Joseph Catholic Church is pleased to announce the return of the annual Blessing of the Blossoms on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 1 p.m. This cherished tradition will feature liturgical readings and blessings for the season’s crops, celebrating renewal, growth, and the hope for a fruitful harvest. Clergy participating in this year’s service include:

• Father Ben Rexroat, St. Joseph Catholic Church
• Rev. Peter Shumar, Old Mission Congregational Church
• Pastor Andrea Johnson, Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church

The service will also be live-streamed at www.stjosephtc.org. Following the service, guests are invited to gather from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Parish Hall for complimentary refreshments, including Sara Lee cherry pie and local wines.

This yearly tradition dates back to 1910, when residents of the Old Mission Peninsula created the “Blessing of the Blossoms” ceremony to pray for good crops (as farm families continue to do!). Over the years, more orchards were planted, and the ceremony grew as cherries became more important to the region’s economy. In 1925, cherry farmers partnered with Traverse City merchants to create the “Blessing of the Blossoms Festival” to promote the region and the cherry business. In 1928, the Blessing of the Blossoms was renamed the Michigan Cherry Festival, which evolved into the National Cherry Festival.

For a number of years, the Freidrich Tower (across from what is now Chateau Grand Traverse) was the ceremony site. Mr. Freidrich built the observation tower, dressed it with garlands, and sought to wed tourism and faith in the Blessing ceremony. The location moved to various locations around the Peninsula, including Bowers Harbor Park.

BAYSHORE MARATHON – MAY 23

The annual Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K will take place along East Shore Drive, Center Road and Bluff Road on the morning of May 23, 6:15 a.m. to approximately 11:15 a.m. Up to 8,000 runners will be on the roads, and as in previous years, the roads will be closed to traffic. If you have special transportation needs during the event, email [email protected].

Founded in 1983 by local running enthusiasts who wanted to share the beauty of the Grand Traverse Region and the Old Mission Peninsula, the Bayshore Marathon has become a “must run” for runners throughout the Midwest and beyond. Many runners return year-after-year to enjoy the scenic courses. For more info about the race and course, visit their website here.