ALPENA – Downtown Alpena will bloom with color, music, and floral-themed fun during the third-annual Alpena Flower Festival, running June 6-8.
This year’s event will showcase more than 35 fresh flower installations sponsored by local businesses and designed by four area florists. Displays will range from creative photo ops near downtown shops to large, interactive exhibits located at the Center Building, Bay View Park, Alpena Marina, 106 Water Street, Thunder Bay Arts Gallery, and Center Alley between 2nd and 3rd Avenues.
New this year, the festivities begin early with the Petal Pub Crawl on Thursday, June 5 at 5 p.m., presented by Lakeshore Fiber. Participants can collect flower cards at each of the 10 participating bars and restaurants in a poker-run style game, with chances to win Flower Fest swag and Downtown Dollars. Drink specials, entertainment, and fun are planned throughout the evening.
The festival officially kicks off Friday at 5 p.m. with completed installations and live performances by the Alpena Street Performers downtown (5–7 p.m.). Artists and vendors will fill Center Alley and 2nd Avenue selling artwork, bouquets, and festival merchandise. From 7–11 p.m., the new Flowers After Hours event takes over Center Alley, featuring music by Grand Rapids duo Gemini Moon (7–9 p.m.) and DJ Chris Chrzan (9–11 p.m.).
Saturday brings a packed schedule, including the inaugural Flower Fest 5K Run/Walk hosted by Highpointe Rehab & Performance. The race begins at 9:30 a.m. at 106 River Street, with registration available via Run SignUp.
Family-friendly activities include a free gardening workshop by the Alpena Garden Club (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), library storytime and craft (11 a.m.), art activities with Thunder Bay Arts (11 a.m.–3 p.m.), and chalk art by the river (11 a.m.–2 p.m.). Art in the Loft will host themed workshops, and florists will offer build-your-own bouquet bars (9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.). The Thunder Bay Folk Society’s Spring Fling will feature live music from 12–10 p.m. near the Black Sheep.
The evening wraps with Chris Crown & the Get Down Band in Pocket Park (5–7 p.m.) and the Birch Road Band in Center Alley (7–9 p.m.).
The weekend concludes with Sunday Funday from 12–4 p.m. on the City Hall Lawn (208 N 1st Ave), featuring bouquet sales, bike decorating, and live music. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lunches. A walking and biking parade will depart at 1 p.m. from City Hall, looping 1.5 miles around the Thunder Bay River. Costumes and decorated bikes, wagons, or strollers are encouraged.
“Each year, the Alpena Flower Festival gets bigger and better. It’s a one-of-a-kind event putting Alpena on the map,” said DDA Executive Director Anne Gentry. “This year truly offers something for everyone—from kids’ crafts to a pub crawl to a bike parade—plus a record number of stunning floral installations.”
Participating florists include Flowerland Designs, Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF, Falls Creek Produce & Flowers, and Lasting Expressions. The displays, sponsored by local businesses, will be on view throughout Downtown Alpena.
A full schedule of events is available at ALPENA FLOWER FESTIVAL.
