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DISCOVER NORTHEAST MICHIGAN 2025

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Alpena County full of attractions for locals and visitors to enjoy

By STEVE SCHULWITZ News Staff Writer

ALPENA — When visiting Alpena, one day might not be enough to enjoy all of the local attractions and entertainment.

From the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and its glassbottom shipwreck tours, to a stroll through Alpena’s historic downtown, or catching large fish with a local charter fishing captain, there simply isn’t enough time in one day to soak up everything Alpena has to offer.

Many of the attractions in Alpena utilize the area’s natural resources, but there are also many things to do indoors, if the weather is poor.

GREAT LAKES MARITIME HERITAGE CENTER

Inside the maritime museum, visitors can feel the power of a Lake Huron storm while walking on the deck of a life-size schooner or gliding over a shipwreck in the dive tubes. With over 10,000 square feet of exhibit space, there is something for everyone, and there are many interactive features and displays that offer a fun, learning experience.

After touring the maritime museum, people can purchase tickets to board Lady Michigan and ride out into Thunder Bay for a glass-bottom boat tour of some of the historic shipwrecks and learn more about them and their fate.

There is also a custom-designed kayak boat that takes passengers to the shipwrecks who can then paddle above them in kayaks.

BESSER MUSEUM FOR NORTHEAST MICHIGAN

The museum features art exhibits, a planetarium, and historical artifacts specific to Northeast Michigan. It is a modern 42,000-square-foot facility that features more than 47,000 artifacts. While touring the museum, you can walk through the 1890s avenue of shops, which depicts what business was like more than a century ago, and also visit five original structures, each over 100 years old.

The Natural Wildlife Gallery, located in the museum’s lower level, features native and non-native Michigan Great Lakes fish, a variety of flora and fauna of Northeast Michigan, and mounted species from around the world.

There is also a small fossil quarry outside the museum where people can search for fossils.

CEDAR PANNING

Cedar Panning allows its customers an opportunity to pan for gems and learn techniques. Customers are allowed to keep

Published by The Alpena News 2025

News File Photo

TJ Carpenter & dog Greta play fetch at Mich-e-kie-wis Park in July 2024.

the gems they uncover, and there is a gift shop where people can purchase keepsakes and souvenirs.

ARZO SPORTS AND FUN PARK

Arzo’s offers theme park thrills in Alpena. People can ride go-karts and bumper cars, play miniature golf, ride a merry-goround and ferris wheel, or take some hacks in the batting cages. There are also many more rides and attractions. There is also an ice cream shop with snacks and drinks for when people need a break from all of the fun.

GOLF

If playing a round of golf is your idea of a good time, Alpena has got that covered, too. The River’s Edge Golf Club and Alpena Golf Course each offer 18 holes of freshly cut fairways and scattered sandtraps and water hazards.

There are also a pair of miniature golf courses in Alpena, one at Arzo and Lee’s Miniature Golf. Each has challenging and wacky holes capable of frustrating even the most seasoned golfer.

THEATERS

Alpena has two live-performance theaters: the Thunder Bay Theatre and the Alpena Civic Theatre. Each rotates and refreshes their theatrical productions, which include comedies, musicals, thrillers, and more.

For people who want to check out the latest box-office blockbuster, the Sanctuary Cinema has three movie rooms that feature reclining and heated leather seats and state-of-the-art projections and audio gear. Snacks and beverages are available and, for adults, there is also alcohol available for those who want to enjoy a cocktail while watching a flick.

ART IN THE LOFT

Located in the heart of downtown, Art in the Loft is one of Michigan’s premier fine arts centers and galleries. The gallery has over 7,000 square feet of open loft space devoted to the exhibit of fine art by local, regional, and national artists and offers visual and culinary art workshops, educational activities, and arts-centered community events. The gallery is open to the public but can also be used by members for private functions.

DOWNTOWN ALPENA

There is a lot to do in downtown Alpena, and there is something for everyone to do, including an array of shops and

restaurants to choose from.

Besides the unique shops and restaurants, downtown Alpena has much more to offer. Dozens of murals decorate buildings, and maps are available so people can take their own walking tour of them. During the warm months, street performers are strategically placed to provide entertainment.

There is also an established social district downtown for people who want to enjoy a cocktail from a local watering hole and consume it as they walk about downtown and in and out of select businesses.

There are also breweries, wineries, and a place to enjoy craft cider. There are also several marijuana dispensaries in the area.

PARKS

Alpena has several parks located throughout the county. Large and small parks line the shore of Thunder Bay, each with its own charm and amenities.

Bay View Park features a bandshell where local and out-oftown bands perform during the warm-weather months, and a kiddie park is located only a stone’s throw away. There are also basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts at Bay View. It is also only a few steps away from the Alpena Boat Harbor and the popular breakwall that includes benches overlooking Lake Huron. Telescopes are available for people to look at the freighters coming and going as well as the other activity and wildlife in the bay.

Alpena Community

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Lee’s Miniature Golf course is seen in this undated file photo.

Starlite Beach Park includes a large playground and even a splash park for families to enjoy. Blair Street Park has a pier for people to walk out on and is the perfect place to take in a breathtaking Northeast Michigan sunrise.

Rockport State Recreation Area is also located in Alpena County and offers hiking trails, a place to hunt for fossils, and even stargazing.

Manning Hill Park is a great place to go sledding in the winter or enjoy a picnic.

NATURAL RESOURCES

No matter the season, there are many activities people can enjoy outdoors. During the summer, Alpena offers many places to swim, kayak, paddleboard, scuba dive, fish, hike, bike ride, or sunbathe. There is also a skate park for skateboard enthusiasts.

In the fall, it only takes a short drive out of the city to see the

full effect of the color of the leaves changing.

In the winter, cross-country skiing is always a good way to spend time outdoors, as is ice fishing. There is a trailhead for snowmobilers, and there is also a snowmobile route into the city so snowmobilers can stop to gas up, fill their stomachs, or spend the night.

There are also several campgrounds in or near Alpena. Alpena County operates Long Lake, Sunken Lake, and Beaver Lake campgrounds, and Camper’s Cove is famous for its hospitality and amenities.

Camping closer to downtown is also available at the Alpena County Fairgrounds.

There are also many other attractions in nearby counties for people who are taking longer road trips. The area features lighthouses, elk tours, and many great events throughout the year.

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Please sit outside in downtown Alpena near the Hopside Brewery and Thunder Bay Arts Gallery, two popular destinations for visitors and locals alike.

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The Thunder Bay Winery is seen during the Fall Fest in 2024. The winery is one of many places people can unwind with an alcoholic beverage downtown.

Presque Isle County offers numerous attractions from historical sites to water activities

By REAGAN VOETBERG News Staff Writer

Discover all the historical sites, natural wonders, and attractions that Presque Isle County has to offer.

There are multiple museums open to visitors as well as lighthouses. The county is rich in freshwater as well, with lakes such as Lake Esau and Grand Lake to add to your bucket list, as well as the great Lake Huron. Anglers can go on charter fishing excursions through local businesses.

The county has plenty of state parks to visit, featuring forests, a waterfall, sandy shorelines, and hiking trails.

For those more inclined to indoor attractions and lake towns, there are plenty of things to do in downtown Rogers City, like visiting the Rogers City Theater for an event or bowling at Nautical Lanes.

HISTORY

For the history buffs, Presque Isle has sites and museums where you can learn about local history.

Sites like the Kauffman Homestead, in Homestead Park off of Lake Esau Highway, are local attractions for tourists and residents alike to appreciate. The homestead was built by John Kauffman in 1862 near Grand Lake but was moved in 1876 due to drifting snow off the lake. Using a team of oxen, he and his family skidded the hand-hewn logs up the hill to its current site and rebuilt the cabin.

The grave of Adeline Sims, allegedly the only woman ever to become a freemason, is located at Range Light Beach off of Grand Lake Road.

For lighthouse enthusiasts, there are two major lighthouses in Presque Isle to visit. The Old Presque Isle Lighthouse was

built in 1840, and the New Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1870. The new lighthouse was built at the tip of Presque Isle peninsula when the keeper’s house at the Old Lighthouse was in need of repairs. Instead of making those repairs, the U.S. Lighthouse Service decided to build a whole new lighthouse.

There are also a couple of museums in the county that are full of local history, including the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum and the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.

Located in Rogers City, the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum highlights shipping history on the Great Lakes. Also in Rogers City, the Presque Isle County Historical Museum features furnishings of the early 1920s, Indian artifacts, a 1980s general story, a Victorian music room, and displays on the industries of farming, lumbering, and shipping.

News File Photo Rockport State Recreation Area is seen in this undated archive photo.

NATURE

Nature is another attraction of Presque Isle County with plenty of trails, state parks, and more to enjoy.

At Besser Natural Area, there is plenty to see and do. Hike the one-mile trail through the “ghost town” of Bell or see the Portland shipwreck that lies just off the coast to the north of the area in Bell Bay. As for natural sights, you will see a virgin stand of white pine trees, a lagoon, and a beautiful sandy beach.

Thompson’s Harbor State Park is nestled along 7.5 miles of Lake Huron's beautiful shoreline. The park offers a rustic adventure for outdoor enthusiasts. Encompassing more than 5,000 acres, this undeveloped park boasts a diverse landscape of forests, sand dunes, marshes, and a rocky shoreline. The park is home to a designated dark sky preserve. It also provides critical habitat for two sensitive species: the federally and statethreatened dwarf lake iris, Michigan's state wildflower, and the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake, a species of special concern protected by state law.

At the Emily Min Hunt Preserve, explore a mixed hardwood forest that gives way to a limestone glade, home to what was once a working apple orchard. This unique grassland habitat provides open space for wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife.

Rockport State Park includes rugged trails, a deepwater port and pier, stargazing, fishing, fossils, sinkholes, and a bat hibernaculum.

Sanctuary, which lies on the section of Lake Huron known as “Shipwreck Alley.” The wreck of the 202-foot steamer Albany lies just off the shore of the sanctuary.

Rogers City’s largest park, Seagull Point, consists of 43 acres and one mile of Lake Huron shoreline. A perfect place to view a sunset, the park features a 1.5-mile bark-surface trail system allowing nature enthusiasts the perfect means to view the unique dune formations, vegetation, and wildlife. Picnic tables, grills, a fire pit, and portable toilet facilities are available in the summer, and an access ramp makes the beach area accessible to most users.

Hoeft State Park is nestled on the shores of Lake Huron. This heavily wooded, 340-acre park offers a mile of sandy shoreline. The park is home to a modern campground, mini cabin, lodge, four miles of trails, and a historic stone and log pavilion.

Onaway State Park encompasses 158 acres of rugged and picturesque land, including a cobblestone shoreline, large unique rock outcroppings, and stands of trees. The park is home to a modern campground, overnight lodging, a designated swim beach, a three-mile trail around the park, and the historic Overlook Shelter and newly built Onaway Pavilion.

LAKES AND WATER ACTIVITIES

With plenty of inland lakes and access to Lake Huron, there are a variety of places to go in Presque Isle County to enjoy the water or partake in water activities.

Presque Isle State Harbor marina is one of the last state harbors to fuel up until Mackinaw City. Amenities include water, electricity, restrooms, showers, gasoline, diesel, pumpout, boat launch, dog run, day use dockage, grills/picnic tables, fishing pier, laundry, and refuse receptacles.

Hike on the Presque Isle Harbor Trail to the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, and see the New Presque Isle Lighthouse by walking on two trails on either side of the lighthouse in Presque Isle Township Park. See these trails and more at presqueisleharbor. org.

Enjoy Ocqueoc Falls, the largest waterfall in Michigan's Lower Peninsula and the only universally accessible waterfall in the United States. Ocqueoc provides approximately six miles of hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities with three marked loops.

Appreciate the high biodiversity at Spitler Shore Nature

The Presque Isle Harbor Beach is adjacent to the marina and a great place to swim or go for a beach walk.

Grand Lake is an all-sports lake about eight miles long, approximately 5,660 acres in size, has a maximum depth of 25 feet, and boasts 19 islands. Reeds, rocks, and a number of small islands within the lake make for an excellent fish habitat.

To visit Lake Esau, stop at Lake Esau Park, where there is a

boat launch, picnic area, swingset, and benches.

Range Light Beach is located at Range Light Park, along with the grave of Adeline Sims and the historic old range lights.

Looking to hop on a charter and reel in more fish from Northeast Michigan? Two Hearted Charters and Big Water Charters are a couple of options to do so.

Two Hearted Charters is a 31-foot Tiara Pursuit with a 12.5-foot beam. Stand-up bathroom, kitchen, dining area, and lounge quarters are available. Morning trips run from 6 a.m. to noon, and afternoon trips run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Big Water Charters offers a spacious, 29-foot Tiara for a fun-filled day on Lake Huron.

Ocqueoc Outfitters provides kayaking and canoe rentals for people to paddle down the beautiful and scenic Ocqueoc River.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Visit Rogers City’s bowling alley, Nautical Lanes, for a fun indoor activity. They offer birthday parties, tournaments, leagues, and glow bowling nights on Fridays and Saturdays.

Rogers City Theater showcases films, live theatre, seminars, presentations, and concerts. For a schedule of events, visit their website at rogerscitytheater.com.

For shopping and dining opportunities, there are plenty of options in downtown Rogers City.

Domaci Gallery features the work of several contemporary artists and artisans as well as the work of owners Tim and Mary Pritchard. Many of the artists represented in the gallery are local Michigan artists, but also included are artists from as far away as Oberdorla, Germany.

Knaebe's Mmmunchy Krunchy Apple Farm in Rogers City opens in July for summer tasting. In the fall, visitors can pick pumpkins, visit the apple orchard, explore the corn maze, go for a wagon or barrel train ride, and visit the farm animals. You can also purchase apples, cider, and donuts, and try wood-fired pizza, hard cider, and microbrews in the tasting room.

Kalie Fessler, executive director of the Rogers City Main Street/Downtown Development Authority, commented about why Rogers City, in Presque Isle County, is a great place to visit in the area.

“Rogers City is your ideal escape to the stunning shores of Lake Huron,” she said. “Here, you'll find natural beauty that invites you to simply breathe and relax. Miles of peaceful beaches, groomed hiking trails and scenic, paved bike paths and just minutes from downtown, you can discover the only waterfall in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

“Our three area historic lighthouses stand as proud reminders of our rich maritime heritage and for those wishing to learn more, two museums offer a deeper dive into our history.

“What truly sets Rogers City apart is the feeling you get when you're here. It's the warm smiles of our friendly locals, intriguing artscapes, unique treasures in our shops, delicious, local foods, and the excitement of our festivals and events. This is a place where you can truly unwind, explore, and create lasting memories. Every season has something unique to offer; come experience our slice of lakeside paradise, and discover why we're so proud to call Rogers City home!”

News File Photo

People take a horse-drawn wagon ride at Knaebe’s Mmmunchy Kruncy Apple Farm in 2017.

Montmorency County offers outdoor recreation, natural beauty, history

By DARBY HINKLEY News Lifestyles Editor

Outdoor enthusiasts, history fans, and anyone looking to relax and enjoy the countryside will find something interesting to do in Montmorency County in Northeast Michigan.

Atlanta, the county seat and official Elk Capital of Michigan, is surrounded by 1,000 square miles of state land, lakes, and trout streams. Outdoor activities abound, including camping, fishing, hunting, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, snowmobiling, hiking, cross-country skiing, and plenty of trails to explore.

“If you're looking for a beautiful area to explore, you have come to the right place, as we have year-round adventures for you to enjoy,” the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce website states.

More activities available in the Atlanta area are bird watching, berry picking, and morel mushroom hunting.

You may even see some elk grazing in the wild, as “The Elk Capital of Michigan lives up to its name,” the website states.

Clear Lake State Park is located just north of Atlanta, offering many trails suitable for hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and ORVs (Off-Road Vehicles), including access to the Atlanta ORV route and the Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail from the park. Clear Lake State Park also features a modern campground, overnight lodging facilities, a swimming beach, and a disc golf course.

“There are many reasons to be in Atlanta,” the Chamber site notes. “Spend a little time here and you’ll find yours.”

About 16 miles east of Atlanta is the Village of Hillman, offering more recreational opportunities, beautiful parks, restaurants, and a quiet retreat from busy city life.

A popular Hillman attraction is Thunder Bay Resort, located on 500 acres of elk country, well-known for its

News File Photo

The Brush Creek Mill in Hillman is seen in this undated archive photo.

championship golf course, award-winning Elk Viewing Dinner Ride and Wine Tasting, superior lodging, RV park, and more.

History enthusiasts will enjoy learning about early Montmorency County settlers and more at Brush Creek Mill, featuring displays, memorabilia, classes, events, and the Rivers Edge Gift Shop showcasing items made by local artisans.

The recently updated Emerick Park offers Concerts in the Park by local entertainers, as well as an RV site. Events typically run every Saturday in the warmer months.

“Concerts in the Park is a really good time to just relax and enjoy music,” said Brian Bartosh, Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce president. “It’s all free. It makes for a nice Saturday evening.”

He added that the park has just been updated and features new pickleball courts.

Bartosh added that the Hillman area offers many outdoor activities, including ATV trailheads, hiking trails, fishing, and more.

Fletcher’s Floodwaters, also known as Fletcher’s Pond, is located on the border of Alpena and Montmorency counties. Known for being one of the best fishing spots in the state, Fletcher’s Pond is a flooding of Thunder Bay River with maximum depths of about 10 feet on almost 9,000 acres of open water. Lodging is offered at Fletcher’s Landing and Jack’s Landing Resort.

In addition to fishing, Montmorency County features over 240 inland lakes and rivers for boating, swimming, and plenty of wildlife viewing.

Lewiston, located in the southwest area of Montmorency County, is a charming historical logging town. Community events are offered throughout the year, as well as four-season adventures.

“The lakes in the Lewiston area are amazing,” the Lewiston

Area Chamber of Commerce website states. “From boating, kayaking, golf, pickleball, corn hole, snowmobiling, and hunting, Lewiston is a sportsman’s playground for your family.”

An antique car is seen at the Lewiston Area Historical Museum in this undated photo.

Lewiston also features a museum run by the Lewiston Area Historical Society. Learn more about Lewiston’s rich history by visiting the museum, open on Saturdays, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Montmorency County has a host of activities for all ages, and a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature in a multitude of ways.

Alcona County offers water, woods, history, and more

By SHELL HOFFMAN Special to The News

The serene, clear waters and multiple seasonal activities available in Alcona County offer a treasure trove of things to see and do.

From Lake Huron to Hubbard Lake, the waters offer something for everyone, and the woods, views, and history add to its splendor.

Hubbard Lake is a water lover’s dream. The pristine, clear lake brings boaters from near and far to enjoy its beauty and calm serenity.

For the more active water enthusiasts, kayaking and paddleboarding are a sure favorite way to spend the day outdoors on Hubbard Lake, along with the lovely beaches that make swimming the perfect summertime activity for people of all ages.

The many streams, rivers, and lakes also make the area a top fishing destination as Hubbard Lake has numerous species of fish to please every angler.

The surrounding scenery of the Hubbard Lake Nature Preserve is sure to make one appreciate the beauty of Northeast Michigan and its woodlands.

Numerous parks and campgrounds are scattered throughout Alcona County, allowing guests to relax and spend the day conversing with nature or camp and enjoy the warmth of a cozy bonfire.

Negwagon State Park, near Blake River, offers a rustic campsite area with numerous trails for hiking, beachcombing on the sandy shores of Lake Huron, and immersing oneself in the serenity of its forests.

The Harrisville State Park is a full hook-up campground with available cabin rentals and day-use areas for picnicking, swimming, and exploring the lake shore.

Those desiring a relaxing round of golf can enjoy one of many of the well-groomed courses available throughout Alcona County, including Lost Lake Woods Club in Lincoln, White Pines National Golf Course in Spruce, or Eagle Ridge located in Glennie, to name a few.

If off-roading through the woods is what you seek, Alcona will not disappoint. Curran provides a premier ATV trail into Oscoda.

For nature lovers, Reid Lake in Curran also provides spectacular bird-watching opportunities as countless species flock there.

For those who enjoy Michigan’s history, plan a visit to Sturgeon Point Lighthouse State Park and the Lincoln Train Depot History Museum.

The 71-foot-high Cape Cod-style lighthouse and surrounding state park provide visitors with a look into the maritime past of Northeast Michigan waters while

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A boat passes a dock on Hubbard Lake in 2024.

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enjoying stunning lakeshore views.

The Michigan-registered historic site of the Lincoln Train Depot allows guests to delve into the importance of railways of the past and offers a showing of an original caboose and a switching engine.

For those who love to spend a lazy day shopping, locally owned businesses providing antiques, crafts, food, beverages, and anything you may need or want to make your trip complete are located throughout the county.

The Harrisville Farmers Market is open every Saturday from roughly May to October, selling fresh fruit and vegetables along with bread and other sweet treats.

If wintertime is your season for enjoying the outdoors, Alcona County has plenty to offer during the colder months.

Groomed snowmobile trails throughout the county offer miles of fun and breathtaking scenic landscapes. For those who love cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the state parks in Negwegon and Harrisville provide miles of forest trails to enjoy the calm and beauty that Alcona delivers. Winter also provides numerous frozen lakes for ice-fishing enthusiasts.

Year-round, Alcona County has something for everyone.

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Sturgeon Point Lighthouse is seen in Harrisville in 2020.

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The Harrisville Train Depot is seen in this undated photo.

Festivals are plentiful in Alpena County

By STEVE SCHULWITZ News Staff Writer

ALPENA — There is no shortage of festivals and events in Alpena, no matter the time of year.

From the 10-day Michigan Brown Trout Festival in July to the newly established Ice Festival in February, there are many opportunities for people to enjoy the entertainment, food, drinks, and socialization they all offer.

The Michigan Brown Trout Festival is the largest of the annual festivals. In 2024, the festival celebrated its 50th anniversary, and it is as big and as popular as ever.

During the event, there is a series of fishing tournaments where anglers show off their large brown trout, salmon, lake trout, and walleye in front of a crowd of people each night when they are weighed.

For the duration of the event, there is a large tent erected for live entertainment, including national acts, and other activities for people of all ages. A smaller tent is also set up where bands perform nightly, which is free for those who attend. There are temporary bars set up in both tents so people can enjoy a cocktail while they dance and mingle.

The Brown Trout Festival is located at the harbor in Alpena, which is just a short stroll from the heart of downtown. Many people make a day of it when they attend the festival so they can visit the shops, restaurants, and art galleries located downtown.

The annual Art on the Bay runs over one of the weekends during the festival. Art on the Bay is held at Bay View Park, which is next to the harbor.

Another large event is the Alpena County Fair, held at the Alpena County Fairgrounds for about a week, typically in August, which features a full midway with rides and carnival games. Local 4H, a local agriculture organization, fills the barns with livestock for people to interact with and learn about.

Each night, there is entertainment in the grandstands, including concerts, a demolition derby, a bump and run,

Local Churches

a rodeo, a tractor pull, and more

There are also many vendors set up to sell food and drinks during fair week.

Several other festivals are also held throughout the county.

The Ice Festival, a one-day event, features large hand-carved ice sculptures scattered around the downtown and at nearby Mich-eke-wis Park. There is also a sledding hill, horse and wagon rides, sled dog meet-and-greets, and a large bonfire that is safely monitored by the Alpena Fire Department.

The Alpena Flower Festival, a three-day festival, is a newer event that has grown each year and is becoming a

must-attend for people around Michigan.

Each June, downtown Alpena is filled with floral-related activities, such as live painting by local artists, free crafts for kids, live music, themed cocktails for the adults, extended shop hours, and more. You can even create your own flower arrangements to take home. Many of the large and detailed floral arrangements downtown are left in place so people who may not have been able to attend the festival can still enjoy them days after.

Also in June is the annual Blues Festival, which is held on a Saturday each year. There are talented lineups of blues performers and bands that perform all day at the bandshell at Bay View Park in Alpena. All of the performances are free for the community to enjoy. The bandshell is also a short walk from downtown, so people can visit a variety of local businesses and restaurants.

In August, there is the Alpena Antique Tractor show at the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club, located just a short drive from Alpena.

During the event, there will be live demonstrations of sawmills, shingle mills, threshing, baling, and rock crushing throughout the three-day show. There is also a blacksmith, hand-poured concrete blocks, and woodworking demonstrations for people to enjoy.

OSSINEKE AREA

News File Photo

An artist puts the finishing touches on his ice sculpture during the 2023 Ice Fest in Alpena.

There is also a flea market, with concession stands for food and drinks, and a parade featuring antique tractors.

In October, at the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club, there is the Annual Apple Pumpkin Fun Day that is loaded with fall activities that are great for families. The event is held on a Saturday and a lot of activities and entertainment are packed into it.

People can enjoy free pumpkin painting, games and activities for kids, apple cider making, face painting, and prizes and raffles. The event is only for one day, but is facetted with fun.

Also in October, there is the one-day Besser Museum’s annual Fall Harvest Fossil Festival at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan. The festival allows visitors to visit the museum, as well as the old structures from generations ago that are in the museum’s backyard.

Alpena’s Fourth of July celebration draws thousands of people from Northeast Michigan. The event features an annual parade and a fireworks display. There is also a concert at the bandshell at Bay View Park.

There is also the Thunder Bay International Film Festival each January at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The event runs from a Wednesday through a Sunday each year.

Plenty of other events draw in both locals and tourists alike to the area year-round to appreciate what each one has to offer.

Food & Dining

News File Photo

A man and his beagle ride on a tractor during the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club in 2021.

Unique Local Shopping

Things to do in Northeast Michigan all year round

Check event websites to confirm dates and times.

SPRING

March

• Brew on the Bay

May

• Lewiston Mushroom Festival and Art in the Park

• Second Saturday Vintage and Artisan MarketDowntown Alpena

• Mental Health Movement 2K - 5K - 10K - Alpena

• Purr Creations Craft Show - Alpena

• Light Up The Sky 5k Run & Walk - Presque Isle

SUMMER

June

• Alpena Farmer's Market Saturdays Mich-e-kew-is

• Presque Isle Harbor Wooden Boat Show, Third Saturday in June

• Alpena Flower Festival

• Second Saturday Vintage and Artisan MarketDowntown Alpena

• Alpena Blues Festival

July

• Alpena Farmer's Market Saturdays Mich-e-kew-is

• Fourth of July Parade and Celebration

• Dork Brothers Independence Day 5K Run/Walk

• Second Saturday Vintage and Artisan MarketDowntown Alpena

• Thunder Bay Arts Art on the Bay

• Alpena Brown Trout Festival

• The Craftmakers' Cabin Annual Craft and Vendor Fair, Harrisville

• Montmorency County 4-H Fair

August

• Alpena Farmer's Market Saturday Mich-e-kew-is

• Second Saturday Vintage and Artisan MarketDowntown Alpena

• Rogers City Nautical Festival

• Hillman VJ Days

• Lewiston Timberfest

• Alcona Classic Tractor & Engine Club Heritage Days

• Holcim/Stoneport 5k Quarry Run/Walk

• Alpena County Fair

FALL

September

• Second Saturday Vintage and Artisan MarketDowntown Alpena

• Posen Potato Festival

• Northern Michigan Fiber Festival

• Thunder Bay Folk Fest

• Atlanta Elk Festival

• Harrisville PorchFest

• Curran MI Black Bear Festival

• Presque Isle County Fair

October

• Alcona County Fair

• Witches Night Out

• Downtown Trick or Treating

November

• Dork Brothers Turkey Trot

• Day of the Dead Celebration

• Bolenz Jewelry Holiday Parade

WINTER

December

• Church craft festivals and bazaars

• Visit with Santa Downtown Alpena

January

• Thunder Bay International Film Festival

• Downtown Alpena Cozy Crawl

February

• Sno*Drift Rally in Atlanta

• Alpena Ice Fest

• Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

News File Photo

A flower bar is seen at the 2024 Alpena Flower Festival. Build-your-own bouquet stations are one of the many features of the event in downtown Alpena.

Atlanta Elk Festival, Hillman V-J Day, Lewiston Timberfest among Montmorency County events

Family-friendly events are offered throughout the year in Montmorency County, including the Atlanta Elk Festival, Hillman V-J Day, and Lewiston Timberfest, to name a few.

Community events continue throughout the year in these small, welcoming towns in the heart of Northeast Michigan.

HILLMAN

Hillman presents an annual Easter Egg Hunt in the spring, starting from Emerick Park, and children and families can follow the bunnies to MediLodge, finding many eggs along the way. The Easter Bunny attends, and there is also a bike giveaway.

Then in May, Hillman hosts The Blessing of the Bikes, which brings many visitors in, and has grown to about 150 motorcycles, according to Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce President Brian Bartosh.

“They line up the main street,” Bartosh said. “We’re trying to make it bigger and bigger … We’re building the Blessing of the Bikes because that brings a lot of people in.”

He added that good weather in the past several years has helped increase attendance. Participants receive a commemorative pin, there is a blessing ceremony, and they’ve also added a Blessing of the Kids’ Bikes.

The Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce partners with the Hillman VFW Post 2356 each August to present V-J Day festivities, featuring a VFW-sponsored parade, activities throughout the day, and a spectacular fireworks display at night.

“V-J Day, or Victory over Japan Day, marks the end of World War II, one of the deadliest and most destructive wars in history,” a description on the Hillman Area Chamber of Commerce website states. “When President Harry S. Truman announced on Aug. 14, 1945, that Japan had surrendered unconditionally, war-weary citizens around the world erupted in celebration.”

St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hillman also holds an annual festival and fundraiser in August, featuring live music, children’s activities, games, and other festivities.

Hillman sponsors a popular buck pole during hunting

By DARBY HINKLEY News Lifestyles Editor

season, as well as the exciting Ride with Santa event in December, featuring horse-drawn wagon rides with Santa himself, hot cocoa, treats, games, prizes, and a whole lot of holiday fun.

In addition to seasonal events, Hillman also features open mic nights on Wednesdays at Patchwood Plaza, and Concerts in the Park at the newly updated Emerick Park, featuring the talents of local performers.

ATLANTA

Atlanta, the Elk Capital of Michigan, has been offering its annual Elk Festival in September for the past 40 years.

The festival features a professional chainsaw carving competition with carvers from all over the world, as well as auctions, a parade, games, activities, live entertainment,

medical/ Pharmacy

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A kid paints at the St. Augustine Catholic Church’s annual festival and fundraiser in Hillman.

a beer tent, a pageant, a petting zoo, cornhole contest, raffles, vendors, Elk Fest Jail, a bed race, Kids Zone events, a kids fishing contest, a pet parade, karaoke, and much more.

The Montmorency County 4-H Fair is held in July at 13110 M-33 North in Atlanta, featuring a horse pull, demolition derby, bump and run, pageant, magician, birds of prey, puppet show, Smokey the Bear, games, animal shows, and more. For a full schedule of events, visit mmcfair.org.

LEWISTON

The Lewiston Area Chamber of Commerce presents Timberfest in August in downtown Lewiston, celebrating the area’s rich logging history.

Timberfest features live bands in the entertainment tent, a lumberjack

encampment, axe throwing, log splitting, chainsaw carvers, children’s activities, face painting, pie- and watermeloneating contests, family bingo, inflatables, a corn hole tournament, pickleball clinics, concessions, a 5K race, events by the Lewiston Library and Lewiston Historical Museum, farmers market, vendors, and more.

Summer concerts are also offered in Lewiston, as well as community events throughout the year.

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The Montmorency County 4-H building is seen in 2021.

Alcona County offers festivals, fair, and fun

There’s plenty to do in Northeast Michigan year-round, and the sprawling county of Alcona is sure to deliver entertainment, events, and more. Numerous festivals and events throughout the four seasons in Alcona provide fun activities for the entire family.

In February, bundle up and brave the weather at the Michigan Kenworth 250 snowmobile race, a Midwest International Racing Association-sanctioned race at the Alcona Recreational Area in Lincoln.

Snowmobilers from across the country and Canada vie for the top spot at the 250 lap Enduro challenge, while the crowd enjoys a fun-filled day of spectating, tailgating, and cookouts on the hill overlooking the track. Children can sled the hill while friends and family visit and enjoy the race.

When the weather turns to spring, and April has done its job for May flowers, Mayfest comes alive in Harrisville. Spend the afternoon enjoying local music artists while you cast your vote for the best-tasting chili of the cookoff challenge and become swept up in the nostalgia of the classic car show. You may find yourself reminiscing about vehicles of times gone by or marveling at those newfound restorations.

The annual Lincoln Lions fishing tournament is typically held in June at Harrisville Harbor, recruiting anglers from near and far to cast their lines in search of the largest salmon and lake trout. The tournament is celebrating its 42nd year in 2025.

The three-day tournament consists of the Shotmaker’s Ladies Classic, the Stihl tournament, and the Budweiser Super Tournament. Whether a master caster or a novice, this competition will have anglers remembering why they love to fish.

When July rolls around, the Craftmaker’s Cabin 4th of July craft show weekend is in full swing in Harrisville.

Over a weekend, local artisans, crafters, and vendors gather to sell their wares to the public, displaying unique and locally made pieces from across the area.

The event features an annual kids parade for all to enjoy and the Lions Club-sponsored duck race. Tickets are available for sale so you can cheer on your lucky duck as it races down the creek from Mill Pond to the finish line at the lake.

A stunning firework display that fills the sky with beauty and the crowd with awe, caps off the holiday event.

Later in July, the Harrisville Arts Council introduces the

By SHELL HOFFMAN Special to The News

Snowmobilers race in the Michigan Kenworth 250 snowmobile race, a Midwest International Racing Association-sanctioned race, in 2023.

Sunrise Side Wine, Beer, and Food Festival under the tent at the Harrisville Harbor of Refuge.

Numerous breweries provide tastings of their Michigancrafted beers, and statewide vineyards allow guests to partake in the different wines available in the region. Chefs prepare foods to showcase the pairings of the different beverages. Enjoy the afternoon listening to music and discovering the flavors of Michigan drinks and cuisine.

In August, the Alcona County Fair in Lincoln is filled with daily kids’ activities, including face painting and daily kids’ giveaways. There will also be poultry and animal judging, a cornhole tournament, silent auction and lots of eats, sweets, carnival rides and live music.

Lawn mower drags and the crowd favorite Bump and Run are typical events one might see at the fair. The Alcona County Fair has something for the entire family.

Rounding out the summer festivals in Alcona is the second largest craft festival in Michigan on Saturday and Sunday preceding Labor Day: the annual Harrisville Harmony Weekend Arts and Crafts Festival.

Over 250 exhibitions will be on display at the courthouse grounds. Numerous artists of different mediums and materials, from knitwear, wall art, yard art, wood crafting, jewelry, and more will be introducing their handmade items to the public for sale. Locally canned foods, honey, breads and sweets will be available for purchase.

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People walk around the Harrisville Harmony Weekend Arts and Crafts Festival in 2024.

ALPENA — Presque Isle County may be smaller than neighboring counties, but there are many festivals to attend throughout the year. Home to Rogers City, Onaway, Posen, Millersberg, and more, Presque Isle County is famous for hosting festivals that bring together surrounding communities.

At the end of July, Roger City’s highly anticipated Nautical City Festival is in full swing, offering a wide range of activities such as craft shows, a grand parade, food vendors, a fireworks show, and more. Residents from across the county, and neighboring counties, flock to the lakeside town to celebrate Roger City’s unique beauty.

In 1977, the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce began the event to raise money to put back into the community, and it has been an annual event since.

Rogers City Chamber of Commerce Vice President Karen Spens said the Nautical City Festival’s mission is the same as when it first started.

“The festival committee is committed to providing a safe, fun festival for all ages in efforts to bring additional people and funds to our community all while building lasting memories,” Spens said.

The Nautical City Festival has always been a highly anticipated event because of the variety of events the festival hosts, especially the bands.

For 2025, the chamber is asking Rogers City youth to guide plans for teen-specific events.

“We want them to be engaged and have a voice in the festival,” said Spens. “We are forming a Teen Advisory (Nautical City Festival) Committee to do this.”

Spens said that the festival is a time for family and friends to get together and appreciate the beauty of Rogers City.

“I look at it as a homecoming for a lot of people,” Spens said.

Another homecoming happens in early September during the Posen Potato Festival. The city of Posen comes to life at the beginning of the harvest months as local farmers get time to relax and enjoy the company of their

By KAYLA WIKARYASZ News Staff Writer

Presque Isle County festivals bring together communities

neighbors.

The notable Posen Potato Festival is a long-held tradition in Northeastern Michigan, tracing its history back for decades. Known for its potato farmers and rich Polish history, Posen celebrates the harvest season each September with polka dancing, food vendors, an exciting Bump-n-run, and more.

Posen Chamber of Commerce President, Andrea Konwinski, said that the Posen Potato Festival is an important time of year because it celebrates the history of Posen and gives people an opportunity to connect.

“The festival is for the local people to get together and have a good time,” Konwinski said.

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People attend the Onaway State Park Halloween Harvest Festival in this undated photo.

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Jackie Riddell and Holly McCrery shop at the Nautical City Festival in 2024.

Konwinski also said that the Posen Potato Festival is unique in that the festival has both a polka and country pavilion.

“There are a variety of things to do,” Konwinski said.

As of 2025, Posen will be celebrating its 74th festival with music, dancing, a carnival, and all the usual fun events that the festival puts on every year.

In late September, Michigan residents will dig out their Halloween decorations early to participate in the annual Onaway State Park Harvest Festival.

People from all corners of the state travel to the park to enjoy trick-or-treating, spooky decorations, costume contests, and all things relating to the harvest season.

September 2025 will mark the festival’s sixth year, and it was created from the partnership between the park and the Friends of Onaway State Park, a nonprofit organization that supports the park.

Kim Beck-Williams, Onaway State Park supervisor, said that the Onaway State Park Harvest Festival is a very important event because it engages the community, brings people from across the state to Onaway, and supports the local economy.

“The harvest festival ties the community closer to the Onaway State Park,” Beck-Williams said.