Courtesy Photo Art on the Bay will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

∫ Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena, presents its “SummerView 2024” Exhibit, featuring the artwork of nearly 40 artists. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Classes are also offered, and can be viewed online. Visit artintheloft.org, email director@artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877 for more information.

∫ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Beverly Benson Wolf’s photography is on display now through July 20 at the museum. The Northeast Michigan Artists’ Guild invites the community to their annual exhibit at the Besser Museum now through July 24. This year’s theme is “It Figures.” The Besser Museum is located at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Call the museum at 989-356-2202, or visit bessermuseum.org.

∫ Thunder Bay Arts Council Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena, features 25 local artists’ work on display and for sale. Gary Etzler, award-winning carver, is the gallery’s featured artist for July and August. Summer hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

∫ Dragonfly Art Gallery, 116 E. Main St. in Harrisville, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The Dragonfly Art Gallery is proud to have Dorothea Sandra as their visiting artist for the month of July. The public is welcome to stop in to see and enjoy her art.

Today, July 16

∫ The Association of Lifelong Learners hosts Mexican Train Express dominoes from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays.

∫ Great Start Collaborative Playgroup is held weekly at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays at Alpena County Library.

∫ TOPS #1614 Alpena welcomes new members who are looking for support in their weight-loss journey. Meetings are held every Tuesday morning at the First Presbyterian Church at 1600 W. Chisholm St. in Alpena. Weigh-ins start at 9:45 a.m. and meetings start at 10:30 a.m. There is no obligation to join if you attend your first meeting. For more information, call 989-255-4787.

∫ Potential homeowners can find out the steps they need to take to get closer to homeownership from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday at the Habitat for Humanity offices at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena.

∫ Every Tuesday, practice ukulele at 10 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of Alcona County Library, with ukuleles available for checkout, and players of all skill levels invited to join.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center offers quilting at 10 a.m. and Spitzer at 12:30 p.m. each Tuesday.

∫ Good Grief is a grief support group at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays, at Friends Together, 105 Prentiss St.. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for more information.

∫ The Family Search Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be closed for regular visits during the months of July and August. The center will still be available by appointment. Call Ella Purkiss at 989-306-6250.

∫ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Presbyterian Church, Alpena. For more information, visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook.

∫ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tinker Tuesday is about getting together and exploring projects ranging from Makey Makey, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, 3D Printing, Strawbees, littleBits, Snap Circuits, sewing and more. Let your curiosity take over and explore! Participants must be age 5 or older.

∫ Paws to Read is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. each Tuesday in July at Alpena County Library. Meet two very special squirrels, Spech and Daisy, with Wildlife Rehabilitator Melisa Smith, and sign up to read to a squirrel! Registration is required: https://bit.ly/3xhco8x. For information contact the Youth Services Department at 989-356-6188, ext. 23.

∫ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 p.m. each Tuesday. This weekly potluck is for those in the LGBTQ community, their families, and supporters, at Bay View Center, 710 N. 2nd Ave. If you have questions, call 989-340-0955.

∫ Cub Scouts meet from 6 to 7 p.m., and Boy Scouts meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 727 S. 2nd Ave., Alpena.

∫ Karaoke Night is from 7 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Black Sheep Pub in downtown Alpena.

Wednesday, July 17

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 for details.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for Open MakerLab. Makers of all ages can tinker, collaborate, and create a project of their choice in our lab. Staff help is available if needed. Participants ages 5 to 15 will need parental supervision at all times. A signed waiver is required prior to using the MakerLab. MakerLab rules apply in the lab at all times because participant safety is ACL’s top priority. If you have questions about lab rules call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ Alpena Senior Citizens Center exercise is from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

∫ Guys Like Us is a Wednesday morning coffee crew of men who are coping with cancer, meeting at 10 a.m., in-person at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call Friends Together at 989-356-3231 for the link.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library Youth Services Department from 10 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday for Weekly Storytime. Come for a few stories, then stay for an activity or craft! All ages are welcome. If you can’t make it on Wednesday, join ACL at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

∫ Join the Alpena County Library from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday mornings for Open MakerLab! Makers of all ages can tinker, collaborate, and create a project of their choice in our lab. Staff help is available if needed. Participants ages 5 to 15 will need parental supervision at all times. A signed waiver is required prior to using the MakerLab. If you have questions about lab rules call 989-356-6188, ext. 20.

∫ Alpena County Library offers Tech Help from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

∫ ALL offers pinochle from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at M. Briggs Center with Julie Byrnes.

∫ ALL offers a Second Square Dancing Class from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at M. Briggs Center.

∫ Women on Wednesday is a support group for women with cancer meeting in-person and via Zoom at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Friends Together.

∫ Alpena Sportsmen’s Club is a nonprofit located at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena, open to members and non-members — everyone with an interest in shooting sports. Skeet and sporting clay shooting are offered from 5:45 p.m. until dark on Wednesdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, text Joel Suszek at 989-255-4928 or Jeff Welch at 989-255-6068.

∫ The League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan will hold a candidate forum from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17 at Alpena Community College’s Granum Theatre. Candidates for the 106th State House District have been invited to speak. They are Cam Cavitt (R), Todd Smalenberg (R), Trina Borenstein (D), Mary Hamilton (D). County Commissioner candidates invited are: District 6 — Todd Briton (R), Kevin Osbourne (R); District 7 — Bonnie Krajniak, Travis Konarzewski (R).

∫ Rich Rider hosts Open Mic Night from 7 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays at the Black Sheep Pub, 113 S. 2nd Ave., downtown Alpena.

Thursday, July 18

∫ Community Walking Club meets at 9 a.m. every Thursday in the parking lot of the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ Join the Alpena County Girlfriends at JJ’s Steak and Pizza House at 10 a.m. on Thursdays for coffee and conversation. This is a women-only group whose purpose is to make friends and socialize with women from Alpena County and the surrounding areas.

∫ Join ALL for Spitzer from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at M. Briggs Center, led by Marilyn Klingshirn.

∫ Zoom Book Club is from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Thursday, with the Alpena Senior Citizens Center. For more information, call 989-356-3585.

∫ Friends Together presents Journaling with Friends, from noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday. Explore creative ways to organize your thoughts. Registration is required by calling 989-356-3231.

∫ Pinochle and bridge are held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays at Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ Zoom meditation is at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, led by the Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

∫ Needles and Threads group is held from 2:30 to 4:30 pm every Thursday at the Grand Lake branch of Presque Isle District Library. Bring your latest knitting, crocheting, sewing, needlepoint, or other crafts. Call 989-734-2477, ext. 2 with questions. The library is located at 18132 Lake Esau Highway, Presque Isle.

∫ Tweens ages 9-13 are invited to join Alpena County Library from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18 for Laser Tag! At this 90-minute program, each attendee will have the opportunity to play multiple short team games. All games will be played in the Stillion Conference Room, unless otherwise specified. Registration is required to attend. Space is limited to 20 players per session. Please reach out to Brad with any questions at 989-356-6188.

∫ The Alpena County Library invites adults ages 18 and up to create Glowforge Suncatchers from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Registration is required for this free program. Call 989-356-6188 to register, or visit alpenalibrary.org. All materials will be provided.

∫ Thursday Eve Serenity Group meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 351 Wilson St., Alpena. If a problem drinker has or is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help you. Meetings are anonymous and confidential. Call 989-354-5476.

∫ The Alpena City Band will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Alpena bandshell located at Bay View Park. Concerts will be held there each Thursday evening through Aug. 13. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy an hour of music performed by local musicians. Special themed concerts include the July 25 Children’s Concert, and the Aug. 15 Polka Concert (last concert of the season). A special Veterans Concert will be performed on July 24 inside the tent at the Brown Trout Festival.

Friday, July 19

∫ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 for details.

∫ Exercise is at 10 a.m. at Alpena Senior Citizens Center. Then at noon, Mahjong is played, and pinochle starts at 12:30 p.m.

∫ Presque Isle District Library’s Posen branch offers knitting and crocheting from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays. All levels are welcome. If you have questions, call 989-734-2477.

∫ On Fridays, Storytime and Craft for Kids meets at 10:30 a.m. at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library.

∫ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center. This is an ongoing group of card players who welcome any players at any time. This group is a teaching class but experienced players are also welcome.

∫ The Hillman VFW Post 2356 hosts its Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday night, with your choice of fish or shrimp, potato, coleslaw, roll, and drink. The fish fry is open to the public, and the cost is $12 for the fish dinner or $14 for the shrimp dinner.

∫ ALL hosts square dancing from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, call the ALL office at 989-358-7207 or email all@alpenacc.edu.

∫ Get ready to celebrate the festival in style. Each day from July 19 to 28, a different downtown business will have a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. On Friday, July 19, stop by Red Brick Tap and Barrel or their River Street Vault Bar and Smoothery for themed cocktails and drink specials! Grab a Social District drink then walk down to the Michigan Brown Trout Festival at the Alpena Marina to enjoy live music.

∫ The 50th Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival kicks off with Jimmy Buffet Hour from 5 to 6 p.m. in the small tent, followed by dance music from 6 to 9 p.m. by the Beachbillies. It’s Country Gold Night at the 50th Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival, with big tent entertainment by Rowdy Yates, Waylon Hanel, and Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys. Entertainment will be from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., with $10 admission. You must be 21 or older to enter (with valid ID). For a full schedule of events, visit browntroutfestival.com.

∫ PIF Cider will host a drag show at 7 p.m. at the taproom, 205 W. Chisholm St., Alpena.

Saturday, July 20

∫ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mich-e-ke-wis Park, 1302 State Ave. in Alpena. For more information, visit Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook. The Alpena County Library will offer storytime from 10 a.m. to noon at the Farmers Market on July 20.

∫ Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is excited to be partnering with the Poetics Lab and Alpena Kayak Tours to host the inaugural Pride Paddle and Poetry event. Enjoy an exciting shipwreck paddle and a haiku workshop focusing on the intersection of identity, the Great Lakes, and poetry! This new and unique experience will include refreshments and lunch. This is an $89 value covered by these partners, and a great way to experience Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register at tinyurl.com/AlpenaPridePaddle2024. Call 989-884-6200 for more information.

∫ The second annual Reel Fun Northland Challenge will feature a kayak race, craft/vendor fair, dog races, carnival games, and a food truck on Saturday, July 20. Presented by Northland Area Federal Credit Union, activities will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds from the event will benefit Alpena County Animal Control Shelter, Thunder Bay River Center, and local veterans. The kayak race will start at 9 a.m. from Sytek Park on Bagley Street. First place will win $1,000; second will win $750; and third will win $500. Kayak racers must be 18 or older to participate. The course is approximately six miles long. The kayakers will load into the water using the boat launch at Sytek Park. Racers will paddle downstream toward the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Kayakers will circle Island Park and return upstream toward Sytek Park, where they must pass under the Sytek Bridge to finish. Register at northlandcu.com/northlandchallenge. Online registration is $25. Vendors and crafters are sought to participate in the Reel Fun Northland Challenge craft/vendor fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Duck Park within the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary, 1510 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. The vendor fee is $40 for a 10-foot by 10-foot space. Bring your own pop-up tent and tables. For more information, call Lexie Lino, NAFCU marketing specialist, email reelfunnorthlandchallenge@gmail.com, or visit northlandcu.com/northlandchallenge for an application. Bring your furry friends to participate in the Duck Park Doggy Derby on July 20. The fee is $10 per pooch, with all proceeds to benefit Alpena County Animal Control Shelter located at the fairgrounds. Race times will be held by weight class. Dogs weighing up to 15 pounds will race at noon; 16 to 30 pounds at 1 p.m.; 31 to 45 pounds at 2 p.m.; 46 to 60 pounds at 3 p.m.; and 61 pounds and over at 4 p.m.

∫ The Harrisville Farmers Market, located in the upper parking lot of the Harrisville Harbor at the corner of N. Lake Street and E. Harbor Lane, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays from June through October. Market items are locally produced, grown, harvested, baked, and gathered. For more information, visit The Real Harrisville Harbor Facebook page.

∫ The Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, now through Labor Day. For more information, check out the Homestead Artisan Market and Gallery on Facebook.

∫ Art on the Bay will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21. More than 100 vendors will have their artwork for sale during the event which takes place at Bay View Park, on the corner of State Avenue and Prentiss Street. Concessions will be available from a variety of food vendors.

∫ Thunder Bay Winery will host Social District Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. downtown.

∫ The Truckey Road Experience will perform classic rock tunes from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday in the small tent at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival. Over in the big tent, Billy Gunther and the Midwest Riders will perform southern rock and country from 7 p.m. to midnight, for $10 admission, 21 and up, with valid ID.

∫ PIF Cider will host a drag show at 7 p.m. at the taproom, 205 W. Chisholm St., Alpena.

Sunday, July 21

∫ Art on the Bay will continue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with more than 100 vendors showing and selling their artwork and handcrafted items at Bay View Park, on the corner of State Avenue and Prentiss Street in Alpena.

∫ Sunday is Family Day at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival, featuring the 8th Annual PNC Bank Kiddie Classic Fishing Tournament, free for children age 1 to 14. The fishing tournament is from 7 a.m. to noon, and awards will be at 2:30 p.m. in the big tent. Activities and giveaways will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m.

∫ Friends Together will host a drive-through pig roast from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 at The Depot, 124 Fletcher St., Alpena. Tickets are $15. The menu includes barbecue pork, baked potato, cole slaw, baked beans, and a cookie. This event is presented by Friends Together and Presque Isle Electric and Gas Co-op. All proceeds benefit people with cancer and their families.

∫ If a problem drinker is affecting your life, Al-Anon can help. Confidential and anonymous meetings are held from 2 to 3 p.m. every Sunday at St. Raphael Church in Mikado.

∫ PIF Cider will host Social District Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. in downtown Alpena.

∫ A cornhole tournament for adults 21 and up will be held at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival, with registration at 4 p.m. and play from 4:30 to 8 p.m. The entry fee is $25 per person, or $50 per team. There will be two divisions. Call Kelsey with questions at 989-255-4333.

∫ Last One Out will play blues, dance, rock and Motown music from 5 to 9 p.m. on Sunday in the small tent at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival.

∫ PIF Cider will host a drag show at 7 p.m. at the taproom, 205 W. Chisholm St., Alpena.

Editor’s note: Submit Community Calendar items to lifestyles@thealpenanews.com. Call Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley at 989-358-5691.