Courtesy Photo A spooky good time awaits attendees of Downtown Alpena's fourth annual Witches Night Out on Oct. 17.

ALPENA – Downtown Alpena will host an enchanting evening of spooky shopping

specials, bewitching beverages, and other witchy wonders at the fourth annual Witches Night Out on Friday, Oct. 17.

From 5 to 8 p.m., downtown stores will be open late with shopping specials. Businesses will also have special activities planned, including oracle and tarot card readers at Illuminate Wellness (112 Water St.), Lasting Expressions floral witch broom bar from 5 to 8 p.m. in their flower truck (204 W. Washington Ave.), 30% off full-priced items for anyone dressed as a witch at Colburn Outfitters (108 N. 2nd Ave.) and so much more! Taprooms and bars will also have bewitching beverages served up for the evening that can be enjoyed indoors or as part of the Social District.

Attendees can also participate in an adult scavenger hunt that will have them on an enchanting endeavor throughout the downtown. New this year, there will be two different scavenger hunts to choose from. One is more activity based and the other is more question and answer. Individuals or groups can pick up scavenger hunt instructions at the Water Street Commons on the corner of Water Street and 2nd Avenue and must complete and return it to the commons by 8 p.m. Two winners will be drawn randomly to win $100 in Downtown Dollars on Monday.

Downtown will be decorated with witch-themed decorations, with the largest display in the Center Alleyway, where Steven Rea and Steve Tezac will perform from 5 to 8 p.m.

The evening will finish up with an alleyway afterparty from 8 to 10 p.m. DJ Cliff LaMay will be playing music in the alleyway, and participants are encouraged to come in costume for drinks and dancing and even a costume contest to have a chance to win $50 in Downtown Dollars. To be entered in the costume contest you must check in

with the judges next to the DJ between 8 and 8:30 p.m. and the winner will be announced by DJ Cliff around 8:45 p.m.

“I’ve really loved having the opportunity to take on Witches Night Out again this year!” said DDA Administrative Assistant Savannah Peterson. “Seeing everyone show up downtown right at 5 p.m. dressed in their best witch attire ready to participate brings me so much joy and makes all the planning and work worth it. I think it will continue to get bigger and bigger every year, and I hope everyone continues to come downtown and enjoy this event.”

Attendees are encouraged to dress up in their best witch costume or don a witch hat for the festivities. A full schedule of activities can be viewed at downtownalpenami.com/witchesnightout.

Participating businesses include Parallel 45 Books and Gifts, Soaps and Such, Suncatchers, Lulu’s Sweet Shop, Rusty Petunias Marketplace, Myers Fashions Etc., Samantha’s on 2nd, Traveling Ladders, Colburn Outfitters, PIF Cider, Mango’s Tequila Bar, Glik’s, Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas CF, Illuminate Wellness, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library, Lasting Expressions, Sweet Baby James, HopSide Brewery, Players Pub and Grub, Black Sheep Pub, and Sunrise Side Co-Op Market.