Courtesy art

ALPENA — The Northland Area Federal Credit Union and the Thunder Bay River Center present the Fourth Annual Northland Challenge.

Join the fun on Aug. 1, starting at 9 a.m. for fun-filled festivities. There will be kayak races, an arts and craft show, the Duck Park Doggy Derby, and Food Trucks.

Every dollar raised from this exciting race event supports the Thunder Bay River Center and Huron Pines of Alpena.

The women’s race begins at 9 a.m. and the men’s race at 9:15 a.m. The recreational division begins at 9:30 a.m.

– Men and women’s racers launch into the Thunder Bay River at Duck Park and then paddle upstream toward the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Racers will turn around at Sytek Park Bagley Bridge, paddle downstream, and pass under the bridge at the Alpena Duck Park to the finish.

– Recreation division racers launch into the Thunder Bay River at Duck Park and then paddle upstream approximately 1.5 miles toward the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Racers will turn around at the marked red buoy, paddle downstream, and pass under the bridge at the Alpena Duck Park to the finish.

The cost is $28 with early registration, $35 day of registration, $20 discounted registration for EMTs, First Responders, Healthcare Workers, and Veterans, and Bay Athletic Club Members.