The Alcona County Fair is happening this week in Lincoln.

~ Art in the Loft’s “SummerView” exhibit is on display now through Sept. 6 at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in Alpena. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Classes are offered, and scholarships are available. Visit artintheloft.org, or call 989-356-4877.

~ Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan presents the Juried Art Exhibit and Chuck Schroeder’s solo art exhibit, both on display through Oct. 29 at 491 Johnson St., Alpena.The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 491 Johnson St., Alpena. Call 989-356-2202, or visit bessermuseum.org.

~ Thunder Bay Arts Gallery, 127 W. Chisholm St., Alpena, is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Visit thunderbayarts.org or call 989-354-2586.

~ Brush Creek Mill is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at 121 S. State St., Hillman.

Today, Aug. 5

~ ALL hosts Mexican Train Express Dominoes from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. each Tuesday at M. Briggs Center 143.

~ 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. For more information, call 989-255-4787.

~ Alpena County Library hosts Early Connections, a socialization program for children ages newborn to 5, and their caregivers, from 10 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday. No registration necessary. Potential homeowners can find out the steps they need to take to get closer to homeownership. Stop by the Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan offices at 2630 U.S.-23 South in Alpena from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Tuesday.

~ 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 welcome.

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

~ The Alcona County Fair opens today, which is Donation Day. Barns will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Noon is the deadline for cute baby pictures to be turned into the fair office. A silent auction starts at 1 p.m., and the midway opens at 2 p.m. Revolution Dance will host a showcase from 4 to 6 p.m. Just a Girl with a Brush face painting is from 4:15 p.m. to dark. MSP Pop with a Cop is from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. A kids’ giveaway with bikes, fishing poles, and more will be held at 5 p.m. The opening ceremony will be at 6 p.m., the same time as the Jim Pyne Memorial Free Ice Cream Social with music by Laura Frawley. Swine judging and the Alcona Hashslingers Skillet Toss will both be at 7 p.m. Each day, Jonathon LaChance will perform comedic magic shows, and Muxlow Exotics Mobile Reptils Zoo will have two shows daily.

~ The Alpena Lions Club hosts their weekly meetings at noon on Tuesdays at First Presbyterian Church, Alpena. Visit alpenalionsclub.com or the Alpena Lions Club on Facebook, or call 989-464-5313.

~ Coping Through Loss With Christ, a grief/loss group, will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Holy Cross Cemetery office. Then, a job loss and other forms of loss group will meet at 6:30 p.m on Tuesdays at the Friendship Room in Alpena. For more information, contact Seth Peters at 989-354-3019. All are welcome.

~ Sound Bath with Friends, guided deep relaxation for those impacted by cancer, will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at Joshua Tree Studio, 107 W. Chisholm St., Alpena. Traci Boyle of Lady of the Lake Yoga will lead participants in this immersive sound bath and meditation. This free activity is offered in conjunction with Friends Together.

~ Alpena County Library hosts Tinker Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m., for ages 5 and older.

~ Bay View Center hosts a diversity support meeting at 4 p.m. each Tuesday for those in the LGBTQ community, their families, and supporters, at 710 N. 2nd Ave. Call 989-340-0955.

~ Friends Together is once again holding their Mystery Purse Party at Maplewood Tavern. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee. Purse tokens are $20 each. Each token is matched to a corresponding numbered purse. When your number is drawn, you will be matched with your mystery purse. You might get a designer bag or something that looks a little less than luxurious… Either way, you will find some fun surprises in your purse! The event will also feature raffles, games and lots of laughs. Come with your friends, or by yourself and meet some new ones. Maplewood will be offering a dinner special. Maplewood Tavern is located at 7930 French Road.

~ A women’s cancer support group meets from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the lobby of the Alpena Cancer Center. This safe, confidential, peer-to-peer support group welcomes women with a past or present cancer diagnosis.

~ Come aboard for an evening cruise around Thunder Bay Island. Discover the rich history of the island and its iconic lighthouse during this two-hour guided tour. The cost is $50/person for this trip, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The Lady Michigan will be leaving from the dock at 6 p.m. This tour will not be getting off on the island. For more information, call Alpena Shipwreck Tours at 989-340-0067.

~ Cub Scouts meet from 6 to 7 p.m., and BSA 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, Aug. 6

~ Friends of the Library’s used book store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Wednesday at Alpena County Library.

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

~ Guys Like Us, a Wednesday morning coffee crew of men coping with cancer, meets at 10 a.m. at Friends Together and via Zoom. Call 989-356-3231 for the link.

~ The Alcona County Fair continues Wednesday, which is Senior Day — $1 gate fee for those 55 and older. Rides will be free for children age 17 and younger from 2 to 4 p.m. The Fair Board Famous Steak Fry is at 5 p.m., as well as a kids’ giveaway. A horse fun show will start at 6 p.m., followed by The Garrett Veal and Willie Nelson Tribute Show at 7 p.m.

~ Alpena County Library Tech Help is from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

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

~ S.T.E.A.M. meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays at the Harrisville branch of the Alcona County Library. Homeschooled and alternatively schooled youth participate in a weekly S.T.E.A.M. activity.

~ Moon Market Wednesday is held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Alpena Marina, 400 E. Chisholm St., Alpena.

~ Circle of Hope is a women’s only cancer support group from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday at Friends Together. This is a supportive, understanding group of women of all ages, all backgrounds, and all cancers. Call 989-356-3231, or drop in.

~ Alpena Sportsmen’s Club, at 4260 M-32 West in Alpena, is open to members and non-members. Skeet and sporting clay shooting are from 5:45 p.m. until dark on Wednesdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Text Joel Suszek at 989-255-4928 or Jeff Welch at 989-255-6068.

~ Birds and Brew, presented by the Ruffed Grouse Society and the American Woodcock Society, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Austin Brothers Beer Company, 821 W. Miller St., Alpena. Meet the committee members and hear the chapter’s plans for the year ahead. Enjoy a drink and good conversation about bird dogs, upland hunting, and conservation.

~ Friends Together offers a cancer support group at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at Alcona Elementary School, 181 N. Barlow Road, Lincoln. This group is for anyone facing cancer, no matter where you are on your journey. You are welcome to bring a support person with you.

~ The Long Lake Improvement Association will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Parker House Restaurant on U.S.-23 North in Presque Isle. The public is welcome.

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

Thursday, Aug. 7

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

~ Weekly Storytime will be held from 9:15 to 10:10 a.m. on Thursday at Alpena County Library, 211 N. 1st Ave. This free program is for ages newborn to 5. Two sessions are offered: 9:15 and 9:45 a.m. Participants read a story, sing a song and move, and finish with a craft.

~ Join the Alpena County Girlfriends 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. Call Betty at 734-693-2869 for weekly location.

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

~ The Alcona County Fair continues Thursday, which is $10 per carload day. The Madd Hatters Circus Sideshow will be going on throughout the day. Barns will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. A princess tea party will begin at 1 p.m. The midway opens at 2 p.m. A kids’ giveaway will be held at 5 p.m. The 4-H Awards Ceremony will begin at 5:15 p.m. East Coast Fitness and Drumming will host a program at 6 p.m., which is the same time of the Alcona Junior Livestock Club Market Sale in Joslin Arena.

~ The Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Good Midday Alpena lunch and program on Thursday. Updates include information from the Alpena County Fair, Alpena Farmers Market, Target Alpena and more. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by the noon program at Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan, 491 Johnson St., Alpena. The event will be held outside. The cost is $12 per person and registration is required in advance to info@alpenachamber.com or 989-354-4181. This program is sponsored by Greenstone Farm Credit Services.

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

~ Join Harrisville Yoga instructor Liz McNicholas for Stretch and Strengthen, a free series of yoga classes, open to all, at 1 p.m. every Thursday at the Alcona County Library in Harrisville.

~ ALL will tour the Centennial Building, 150 E. Chisholm St., Alpena, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursday with Alpena historian Mike Phillips. Learn about the early businesses, community impact, and fascinating history that helped shape Alpena into the town it is today. Enjoy exploring all three floors and learn about the fascinating history of this historic landmark. Phillips has called Alpena home since 1974. He and his wife, Kate, purchased the Centennial Building in 2014. He gives tours of the Centennial building as well as historical tours of downtown Alpena to cruise ship passengers.

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

~ Alpena County Library will host Reading Buddies/Peer Buddies from 5 to 5:45 p.m. on Thursdays through Aug. 14, in two four-week sessions. Reading Buddies is an opportunity for youth going into kindergarten through third grade to read with their older peers. Peer Buddies will help participants navigate the collection, build literacy skills, and learn to love reading. Peer Buddies need to be in fourth grade or higher. For more information, contact the youth department at 989-356-6188, ext. 23.

~ Putt Putt For A Cause will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Dinosaur Gardens in Ossineke. Put a team together to raise money for the Sanborn Township Fire Department. Contact Connie at 989-350-1076.

~ Gone To Pieces Quilt Guild will host their monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the First United Methodist Church of Alpena.

~ The Northeast Michigan Amputee Support Group will be meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at McWilliams Funeral Home, 504 W. Washington Ave., Alpena. Each month will feature a new topic, with guest speakers on occasion. All who are affected by limb loss are welcome. Each meeting will be designed to be helpful for the whole family (the amputee, their support person, and children). Child care will be provided in another room. Please call ahead to register your child. Amputees and their support person will break away into different groups during some sessions, depending on the topic of discussion. If you have questions, call Dave at 989-916-9529, or Andrea at 989-916-9528, or email nemilimbloss@outlook.com.

~ Fireside Theatrics presents “The Lifespan of a Fact” by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell, based on a book (and an incredible true story) by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal. This Fireside Theatrics play stars Kendra Neumann, Morgan Suszek and Tyler Wolfrom, and contains strong language and some adult themes. Tickets are $10, with proceeds to the Alpena High School Masquers Club. The play opens at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Alpena Civic Theatre, 401 River St., Alpena. Reserve tickets by calling 989-354-3624. The play runs at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

~ 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 host the Polka Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park. Bring a lawn chair for an hour of relaxing band music. This is the last concert in the band’s summer series.

Friday, Aug. 8

~ The Alcona County Fair continues at 9 a.m. Friday with a youth horse show in the horse arena. A livestock costume contest will be held at 1 p.m. and the midway opens at 2 p.m. FFA Barnyard Olympics will begin at 2:30 p.m. A kids’ giveaway is at 5 p.m. Lawn Mower Drag Race and ATV/UTV Barrel Racing will start at 5:30 p.m., as well as a women’s skillet throwing contest. The youth speed show will start at 6 p.m. in the horse arena, and a tractor pull will start at 7 p.m., the same time as the Saddle Tramps Band plays on the stage.

~ The 42nd Annual Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Show starts at 9 a.m. Friday and runs through Sunday at the Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club grounds, 6850 French Road. Gates open at 9 a.m. daily, with live demonstrations of sawmill, shingle mill, threshing, baling, rock crushing, blacksmith, hand-poured concrete blocks, and woodworking demonstrations. Admission is free. Tractor parades will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. Bean soup will be served at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and other food concessions will be available. The Country Poor Boys will play live music at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. A pancake breakfast will be at 9 a.m. Sunday. Primitive camping is $15 per night.

~ ALL pickleball plays from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

~ 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.

~ Downtown Alpena sidewalk sales will be happening from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

~ ALL hosts contract bridge from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays at M. Briggs Center.

~ Alcona Health Center will sponsor a free open skate from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday at Northern Lights Arena, 751 Woodward Ave., Alpena. The first 100 guests get free skate rentals.

~ The Water Street Commons opening party and ribbon cutting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday at 123 Water St., home to five tiny shops, a tasting room, and a public seating area along the Thunder Bay River. Pat Emerine will play live music and Tastes of Thailand will have food available.

~ The Hillman VFW Post 2356 hosts its Friday Night Fish Fry from 4 to 7 p.m. every Friday, with your choice of fish or shrimp, potato, coleslaw, roll, and drink. The fish fry is open to the public, and the cost is $13 for the fish dinner or $15 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.

~ Friends Together will help kick off Hillman’s VJ Day celebration with Dueling Pianos – Let’s Laugh and Sing Together, at Hillman Community Center, 24220 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each, and you must be 21 or older to enter. There will be a cash bar and free snacks, as well as raffles and prizes. All proceeds will benefit Friends Together.

~ Northeast Michigan’s premier country music festival, Sunrise Side Music Festival, will be held on Friday and Saturday at Lost Lake Woods Club, 4243 Lost Lake Trail, Lincoln. This year’s festival features Waylon Hanel on Friday night and on Saturday, The Boomtown Saints, Alli Walker, The Jessie Campbell Band. Food vendors and a beer tent will be available. Tickets are $40 for both days, or $25 for Saturday only. Kids 12 and younger get in free. Gates open at 6 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday.

~ Fireside Theatrics presents “The Lifespan of a Fact” starring Kendra Neumann, Morgan Suszek and Tyler Wolfrom. Tickets are $10, with proceeds to the Alpena High School Masquers Club. The play is at Alpena Civic Theatre, 401 River St., Alpena. Reserve tickets by calling 989-354-3624. The play runs at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday, Aug. 9

~ The Alpena Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays at Mich-e-ke-wis Park, 1302 State Ave. in Alpena. Visit the Friends of the Alpena Farmers Market on Facebook. The Second Saturday Vintage and Artisan Market will be held, along with the other regular market vendors. If you are interested in participating in this special event, please contact Tim Allen from Chippewa Valley Leatherworks at 989-590-0263.

~ The Thunder Bay Car Show starts at 8 a.m. at Starlite Beach in Alpena.

~ The Alcona County Fair continues Saturday, with the Madd Hatters Circus Sideshow throughout the day, as well as Just A Girl with a Brush face painting. An open horse show will start at 9 a.m. Motocross racing starts at 11 a.m., as does a flapjack eating contest for all ages. Noon is the deadline for the youth coloring contest in the home arts building. The midway opens at noon. Livestock sweepstakes are at 1 p.m. and a pinewood derby will start at 2 p.m. The quilt raffle winner will be announced at 3 p.m. From 4 p.m. to close, the gate fee is $10 on Saturday. Winners of the youth coloring contest will be announced at 4 p.m., and silent auction and cutest baby winners will be announced at 4:30 p.m. A kids’ giveaway is at 5 p.m. An open horse and speed show will be at 6 p.m. at the horse arena. A bump and run by TNT Demolition Derby will also start at 6 p.m. The gun raffle winner will be announced at 9 p.m.

~ The Sunrise Side Co-op Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday, with 40 vendors represented weekly for your bakery, farm products, wellness items and high-end gift needs, at the Alpena Marina at 400 E. Chisholm St., Alpena.

~ The 2025 Summer Reading Program at the Alpena County Library will conclude on Saturday. Program participants and their families are invited to celebrate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a host of fun activities, including a bounce house, face painting, games, and a dunk tank sponsored by Wolverine State Credit Union. Attendees can earn prizes for each activity they participate in and opportunities to be entered into the Grand Prize drawings. The MakerLab will be open for Virtual Reality experiences, and readers can redeem prize tickets from their summer reading points.

~ Risque Band will perform pop and dance music from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park, part of True North Radio Network’s Summer Concert Series.

~ Fireside Theatrics presents “The Lifespan of a Fact” starring Kendra Neumann, Morgan Suszek and Tyler Wolfrom. Tickets are $10, with proceeds to the Alpena High School Masquers Club. The play runs at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Alpena Civic Theatre, 401 River St., Alpena. Reserve tickets by calling 989-354-3624. The play continues at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Sunday, Aug. 10

~ Community Church in the Park will be held at 8:30 a.m. every Sunday during August at the Alpena Bandshell at Bay View Park. First United Methodist Church invites you to come and enjoy coffee, juice and snacks as you worship in this beautiful lakeshore setting.

~ 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.

~ Fireside Theatrics presents “The Lifespan of a Fact” starring Kendra Neumann, Morgan Suszek and Tyler Wolfrom. Tickets are $10, with proceeds to the Alpena High School Masquers Club. The play runs at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Alpena Civic Theatre, 401 River St., Alpena. Reserve tickets by calling 989-354-3624. A Fireside Chat will follow the play at about 4 p.m., with a question and answer session with the actors and crew.