The first ever Alpena Flower Festival is coming up this Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, 2023 in Downtown Alpena, Michigan! This new event will fill downtown with fresh flowers and kick off the summer season in Northeast Michigan.

Enjoy large floral installations created by local florists, floral photo ops, and other flower-related activities throughout downtown.

Here are seven things not to miss at the first year’s festival!

1.Enjoy nearly thirty floral installations throughout the downtown. From colorful swags on business’ doors to larger-than life installs in Culligan Plaza and the alleyway between 2nd and 3rd Ave., local florists have some incredible floral designs to show off for the festival. You can see the locations here.

Participating florists include Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF, Lasting Expressions, Falls Creek Produce & Flowers, and Flowerland Designs.

2. Enjoy live music throughout downtown. The Alpena Street Performers will have live music throughout downtown on Friday evening from 5-7 pm. On Saturday from 3-5 pm, stop in the following businesses for live music, shopping, and sipping.

• Glik’s (111 N State St)
• PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St)
• The Fresh Palate (109 N Second Ave)- special performance by the Scholastic News
• Rusty Petunias Marketplace (123 W Chisholm St)
• Bella Rose Wellness Center (104 N Second Ave)

3. Enjoy poetry that celebrates growth, rebirth, and springtime jubilee.The Poetics Lab will be hosting an Open-Mic Night on Friday from 7-8:30 pm at PIF Cider (205 W Chisholm St). Bring your favorite poetry and celebrate growth and rebirth! For the duration of the festival, also enjoy a Flower Fest Poetry Walk, where artwork and poetry created by local youth will be on display in various downtown businesses.

4. Bring the kiddos for special flower-themed activities. On Saturday from 10-11:30 am, the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library (211 N First Ave) will be hosting local author and artist Elisa Chavarri to read her books A Crown for Corina and My Little Golden Book About Frida Kahlo. After the reading, participants will be able to craft their own floral crown.

When you’re done at the library, stop by Thunder Bay Arts (127 W Chisholm St) to paint your own wooden flower from 11 am- 5 pm.

5. Get creative and take a class at Art in the Loft. The Loft (109 N. Second Ave) has a full schedule of floral-themed classes and workshops to get your creative side engaged! Learn more & register for any of the events here or by calling 989-356-4877.

• Floral Inspired Paint Pouring with Rick Houchin on Friday from 6 to 7:30 (ages teen & adults)
• Kanzashi Style Self Portraits with Alison Rae Campell on Saturday from 1 to 2pm (ages 5 & up) 
• Watercolor Cookie Decorating with Mariah Brancheau on Saturday from 2 to 3pm (all ages 5 & up) 
• Funky Acrylic Flower Pots and Plant Tags with The Lovely Little Lettering Co. on Saturday from 3 to 4:30 (ages teen & adult) 

6. Attend a special alleyway party with live jazz, and cocktails. On Saturday from 6-8 pm, the Dan White Quartet will be playing live jazz in the alleyway between 2nd and 3rd Ave., so wear your best florals and grab a floral-themed cocktail from the Social District. The alley is one of our large install locations (thank you Center Building & Wenzel Bennett Harris PC), providing a beautiful floral backdrop for the festivities.

7. And of course, get some fresh flowers to take home. Our participating florists will have fresh bouquets you can purchase to take home a piece of the festival:

• Glik’s (111 N State St) will be hosting a build your own bouquet bar with Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas
• Lasting Expressions will have two flower trucks set up with fresh flowers at Cedar & Threads (133 E. Chisholm St). and in the alleyway between 2nd and 3rd Ave

For more information on the Alpena Flower Festival, you can learn more here or visit the Facebook event here. The festival is being organized by the Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) with the support of downtown businesses and partner organizations. We are thankful for the community’s support on this new flower-filled event!