Even though the end of summer is near, it doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of events and things to do in downtown Alpena! Below you’ll find just some of the events happening throughout the downtown this August!

• Downtown Alpena Sidewalk Sales – Friday August 8th and Saturday August 9th come enjoy the best deals of the summer during Downtown Alpena Sidewalk Sales! Stroll through our charming downtown as local shops and boutiques bring their merchandise out to the sidewalks with sales, promotions, and special offers. Be sure to click on the link for the full list of participating businesses and their hours!

• Ribbon Cutting & Opening Party – The Alpena Downtown Development Authority is excited to invite you to the Opening Party & Ribbon Cutting for Water Street Commons on August 8th from 4pm-7pm— home to five tiny shops, a tasting room, and a public seating area along the Thunder Bay River. Enjoy live music, meet the vendors, take advantage of sidewalk sale specials, sip cider from Knaebe’s, and be a part of this exciting new project in our downtown! Click the link for further details on times and participants!

• Sail into your Sanctuary – August 14th 9am through August 17th 7pm head over to NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and check out the two shooners, APPLEDORE IV & ALLIANCE! The two ships will be offering 90-minute sails throughout the day for $55 a ticket. Along with the ships there’s also a paddle board race and family activities! Click the link for the full schedule and where to purchase tickets.

• Big Foot’s Big Responsibility 5k Fun Run – On August 16th at 8am join the students of Alpena Institute of Massage as they collaborate with Great Lakes Great Responsibility to promote the health and wellness of our bodies as well as our great bodies of water. This family friendly fun run encourages you to pick up trash along the route to aid in the Great Lakes Great Responsibility’s mission to pick up 1 million pieces of trash in the Great Lakes watershed area. The run will start at NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. For more information and where to purchase tickets click the link!

• Downtown Drive-In & Dine Car Show – Also on August 16th, enjoy this annual car show hosted by Sam Rumbles- State Farm! From 5pm-8pm check out classic or unique modern cars while also enjoying live music and local food trucks. This family friendly event is free and there is no pre-registration required! The show cars will be parked on River Street and in Harborside Cycles parking lot. If you want to enter, be sure to click the link for directions on where to go and other info! *In case of rain event will be August 23rd 5pm-8pm*

• Bella Rose Wellness Center 10th Anniversary – Celebrate Bella Rose turning 10 years old on August 21st from 3pm-7pm. Enjoy exclusive event only specials, giveaways and delicious snacks & refreshments! There will also be Gold Rush Mini Diamond Glow Facials a luxurious skin refresh you won’t want to miss! Spots are limited and will fill fast so click the link to book your spot.

• Concert at Friendly Foodees – To wrap up August and the summer, head to Friendly Foodees on August 30th at 6pm to see 5 different rock bands! Detroit Legends DOGZ OF WAR, with POISON TONGUES (Detroit) and with local support from HASRD, Living Unwell, and new locals EMBALMED will all be there! This event is free and open to all ages!

One good thing about summer coming to an end is that means fall is right around the corner! So be sure to come back around mid-August for our upcoming fall events blog! Or you can always check the events page on our website!