TRAVERSE CITY — In the early 1990s, Kris Lagios became a National Cherry Festival volunteer. Lagios first worked as an ambassador and then event director.
"It's a great way to get involved with the community," Lagios said. "You get to know everybody in the Cherry Festival arena. It's like a family reunion."
In 2006, she became director of the ice cream and pie pavilion — her current position.
"That happens the entire week," Lagios said. "It's one of the biggest events."
She arrives at the Open Space by 9 a.m. and stays until 10:30 p.m., after the concert is finished each night.
She said they "even start earlier" than Cherry Festival week, as they need to organize the event area and set up tables and supplies. Plus, they need to be present when the ice cream machines are delivered to the food court.
"It's a lot of work putting this event together," she said.
Despite standing for long hours, Lagios said it is fun to serve dessert to guests. Ice cream comes from Prairie Farms and pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company.
"Our favorite item is the Grand Traverse Pie flurry," she said. "It's a cherry pie flurry. Last year, there were long lines every day just waiting for that."
Another "good seller" is pie a la mode, or pie with ice cream, Lagios said.
Lagios is retired, but she previously spent nearly 40 years as a director for the Department of Health and Human Services. Her coworkers were encouraged to volunteer as a team-building activity.
"When I worked, I got our employees involved too," she said.
[Originally published online and in print July 5, 2024]
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