ALPENA — Hospice of Michigan’s Barley, BBQ, and Beats is returning to Alpena from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday at the APlex.

The event will raise funds for the nonprofit’s Open Access Program ensuring end-of-life care to all, regardless of age, diagnosis or financial circumstances. The signature fundraiser will feature hand-crafted cocktails (and mocktails) from local distilleries, mouthwatering barbecue courtesy of local pit masters and restaurants, and live musical performances from Tim Jones and the Honky Tonk Hippies, and High Speed.

Attendees will have the opportunity to play lawn games, including towering timbers and corn hole, as well as pay tribute to a loved one by sharing their name and a photo on the Memorial Wall.

Thanks to The Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation, the “Make it a Double” matching gift will double all donations, up to $25,000. Those who donate $50 or more will receive a limited edition 2024 Barley, BBQ, and Beats T-shirt as a thank-you gift.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Thursday at hom.org/bbb for $65, or at the door for $75. Ticket holders will be provided tokens at check-in valid for three servings of barbecue dishes and three hand-crafted cocktails. Extra tokens will be available for purchase. Alternative samplings will be available if guests have dietary restrictions.

Special guests include Patrick Miller, president and CEO, NorthStar Care Community, and Marcie Hillary, executive vice president, chief experience officer, NorthStar Care Community.

Participating vendors include Austin Brothers, Bearclaw Coffee, Burrone Family Vineyards and Winery, Hopside Brewery, Long Road Distillery, Mammoth Distilling, Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe, Red Brick Tap and Barrel, Resist Spirits, The Mountain Bar and Grill, Thunder Bay Catering, Traverse City Whiskey, Vegan Baddies, and Yank BBQ.

Sponsors include 9&10 News, Abram Realty, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, Alpena Agency, Applied Innovation, Besser, Bruce Dietz Developer, CareLinc, ClickBid, Connie’s Cafe/Dinosaur Garden, David and Melissa Jagst, DeRocher Masonry, Dr. Michelle LaFave, Fifth Third Bank, Franco, Good Ink, Hansen Balk, Huron Dental, Miller Welding, Nicolet Bank, Omega Electric and Sign Company, Ossineke Hardware, Pioneer Construction, Sean and Jackie Guitar, Signworks, Subway of Northeast Michigan, The Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation, Thunder Bay Accounting, and True North Radio Network.

A nationally recognized leader in end-of-life care, Hospice of Michigan (HOM) is the original — and largest — hospice in the state. A founding member of the NorthStar Care Community, the nonprofit delivers the highest quality of care, raising more than $5 million each year to cover costs for the uninsured and underinsured. HOM offers a broad range of services to enhance the quality of life at the end of life. HOM also provides grief support and counseling, as well as caregiver education and support. A member of the NorthStar Care Community, HOM also provides palliative care through NorthStar Palliative Care, pediatric hospice care and compassionate support services through Jo Elyn Nyman Anchors Programs for Children, and education programs for physicians and health care professionals through the NorthStar Institute. The NorthStar Care Community also includes Arbor Hospice and Centrica Care Navigators. In total, NorthStar Care Community members serve more than 9,000 patients annually across Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Call 888-247-5701 or visit www.hom.org.