Maple City’s Mandy DePuy is back with the National Cherry Festival after leaving the prestigious festival in 2015. DePuy started in 1992 and after 22 years of service she stepped back because of health concerns.
After a series of life events and raising children she returns in a different role as the communications and marketing director.
During her first 22 years, she was an office manager and helped oversee the air shows, concerts, and other aspects of the National Cherry Festival.
Now in 2024, she is back to having fun.
“This festival is so much fun … it’s just the sense of community and the people that are involved,” DePuy said. “The volunteers, the event directors, the staff, the community as a whole all come together for this big celebration, and everybody is happy and having fun. I love to help be a part of putting on a big party for a week for everybody to enjoy.”
DePuy left in 2015 after her husband John DePuy’s battle with cancer was progressing. He died in 2019. Mandy had her own journey with cancer and was focused on raising their daughters.
“So that kind of all shook out and I happened to have lunch one day with Kat Paye, who’s the executive director,” DePuy said. “My girls are older and if anything ever popped up just let me know. Two weeks later, she said ‘Check your email. There’s something I just want you to see.’ And there’s a full job offer.”
Nowadays she will be handling the website, social media and working with all of the different media outlets throughout the state. She also works with a personal relations firm based in Grand Rapids.
“We’re also cherry industry driven, we want to sustain the cherry and help the growers, help the processors be fruitful up here and sustain all the orchards.” DePuy said.
DePuy also works with the National Cherry Festival Foundation. Come November, she will be helping with the Iceman Cometh bike challenge that the cherry festival sponsors. DePuy will also be contributing with the cherry ball drop on New Year’s Eve and then the leaping leprechaun race in March 2025.
