ALPENA — Downtown Alpena will come alive with flowers, music, and activities during the third-annual Alpena Flower Festival from June 6-8.
The festival will feature over 35 floral installations created by local florists and sponsored by local businesses.
The Alpena Flower Festival will showcase stunning floral installations ranging from photo-ops to interactive displays at various locations, including the Center Building, Bay View Park, and Thunder Bay Arts Gallery.
New this year, the festival will kick off with the Petal Pub Crawl on Thursday, June 5, offering participants a chance to win prizes in a poker-run style card game while visiting ten downtown bars and restaurants
“Each year, the Alpena Flower Festival gets bigger and better. It is such a unique event, unlike anything else in the state, which is helping put Alpena on the map,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry.
The festival officially begins on Friday, June 6, with the completion of floral installations at 5 p.m., followed by performances from the Alpena Street Performers and flower trucks selling artwork and bouquets.
From 7-11 p.m., the Flowers After Hours event will feature live music from Gemini Moon and DJ Chris Chrzan in the Center Alley.
Saturday’s schedule includes a Flower Fest 5K Run/Walk hosted by Highpointe Rehab & Performance, allowing participants to explore the floral installations.
Activities for kids include gardening with the Alpena Garden Club, storytime and crafts at the library, and chalk art near the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.
Art in the Loft will host themed workshops, and local florists will offer build— your— own bouquet bars.
The Thunder Bay Folk Society will host live music during its Spring Fling, and the day will conclude with performances by Chris Crown & the Get Down Band and Birch Road Band
Sunday Funday will feature a walking and biking parade around the Thunder Bay River, with participants encouraged to decorate their bikes and dress in floral attire.
With a record number of floral installations and a variety of activities, the Alpena Flower Festival promises to offer something for everyone in the community.
A full schedule of activities can be found below:
Thursday, June 5th:
- 5 p.m.— late - Petal Pub Crawl presented by Lakeshore Fiber Participating stops include: The Black Sheep Pub, HopSide Brewery, Mango’s Tequila Bar, Rusty Petunias Marketplace, Old Polish Corner, Red Brick Tap & Barrel, PIF Cider, Latitudes Tavern, Players Pub & Grub, and Sports Page Sports Bar.
Friday, June 6:
- 10— 2 p.m. — Pottery demonstration by Sam Machulis at Thunder Bay Arts Gallery (127 W Chisholm St.)
- 4— 6 p.m. — Free community meal outside St. Bernard Church hosted by All Saints Catholic Parish (324 W. Chisholm St.)
- 5— 7 p.m. — Live music from the Alpena Street Performers throughout the downtown
- 5— 9 p.m. — Flower trucks from Lasting Expressions on 2nd Ave + Artists in the Alley (Center Alley between 2nd & 3rd Ave.)
- 6— 8 p.m. — Contribute to a community bouquet with All Saints Catholic Parish (Center Alley between 2nd & 3rd Ave.)
- 7— 9 p.m. — Flower Fest evening cruise with Alpena Shipwreck Tours $50.
- Tickets available here: https://alpenashipwrecktours.com/
- 7— 11 p.m. — Flowers After Hours in the Center Alley (between 2nd & 3rd Ave)
- Live music from Gemini Moon (7— 9 p.m.)
- Live DJ Chris Chrzan (9— 11 p.m.)
Saturday, June 7:
- 9 am— 11 a.m. — Flower Fest 5K & 1— mile fun run (hosted by Highpointe Rehab & Performance). 5K at 9:30 a.m. — Register via Run Sign Up.
- 9 a.m.— 2 p.m. — Sunrise Side Co— Op Outdoor Market at the Alpena Marina (400 E. Chisholm St.)
- 9 a.m.— 9 p.m. — Artists in the Alley (Center Alley between 2nd & 3rd Ave.)
- 9:30 a.m.— 5 p.m. — Flower trucks from Lasting Expressions
- 10 a.m.— 2 p.m. — Let’s Get Growing! Activity for kids with the Alpena Garden Club (Center Alley)
- 10 a.m.— 2 p.m. — Natural Plant Dying Workshop: Silk Scarves at Art in the Loft. $45 includes all materials. Register at artintheloft.org
- 11 a.m.— 5 p.m. — Uncle Mike’s food truck at Water Street Commons (123 Water St)
- 11 a.m.— noon — Flower— themed story time and craft at Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library
- 11 a.m.— 2 p.m. — Flower bar at Glik’s (111 N 1st Ave) with Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF
- 11 a.m.— 2 p.m. — Chalk art for kids along the river by Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center (500 W. Fletcher St.)
- 11 a.m.— 3 p.m. — Free flower craft for kids with Thunder Bay Arts (127 W. Chisholm St.)
- Noon to 10 p.m. — Spring Fling Fundraiser by Thunder Bay Folk Society (alleyway next to Black Sheep Pub). Live music all day, plus food and drinks. $5 cover charge.
- 1— 2:30 p.m. — Festive Flower Pots with Art in the Loft & Mariah Brancheau (Pocket Park next to Mango’s). $40 includes all supplies. Register at artintheloft.org
- 2— 4 p.m. — Flower Pounding Workshop: Naturally Printed Tote Bags at Art in the Loft. $45 includes all materials. Register at artintheloft.org
- 2— 5 p.m. — Live music from Patrick E in Pocket Park (next to Mango’s)
- 3— 5 p.m. — Alpena Street Performers in downtown businesses, including:
- Dolf Cwik at Old Polish Corner (626 N. 2nd Ave.)
- The Brandon’s at HopSide Brewery (129 W. Chisholm St.)
- 5— 7 p.m. — Live music from Chris Crown & the Get Down Band in the Pocket Park (next to Mango’s)
- 7— 9 p.m. — Bluegrass and blooms with the Birch Road Band in Center Alley
Sunday, June 8
- 11 a.m.— 5 p.m. — Uncle Mike’s food truck at Water Street Commons (123 Water St.)
- Noon to 4 p.m. — Sunday Funday at City Hall Lawn (208 N. 1st Ave.)
- Grab— and— go bouquets with Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF
- Bike decoration stations (Noon to 1 p.m.); pedestrian parade leaves at 1 pm
- Live music from Doug Haines (Noon to 2 p.m.) and from Steve Rea & Steve Tezak (2— 4 p.m.)
- 1— 2:30 p.m. — Flower Fest Bike & Pedestrian Parade leaves from City Hall Lawn
- Noon to 4 p.m. — Flower trucks from Lasting Expressions on 2nd Ave
- 1— 5 p.m. — Porch Pot Party with Finally, Flowers at PIF Cider (205 W. Chisholm St.)
- 2-3:30 p.m. - Guasch Garden Markers with Art in the Loft & Mariah Brancheau (Pocket Park next to Mango’s). $40 includes all supplies for 3-5 custom plant markers. Register at artintheloft.org
For more information on the festival, click here.