Courtesy photo The Amrize Alpena cement plant, a cornerstone of the local economy for more than 100 years, is serving as a Platinum Plus sponsor of the Brown Trout Festival and hosting a hands-on “sand ‘cement’ art” activity for children during Kids Day on Sunday.

ALPENA – Amrize is serving as a Platinum Plus sponsor of the Brown Trout Festival and will host a special hands-on activity for children during Kids Day that introduces participants to the science behind cement manufacturing.

As a Platinum Plus sponsor, Amrize is the exclusive host of the small tent and the two-day Super Tournament finale of the 10-day festival. The company’s Presque Isle quarry is also sponsoring the Youth Offshore tournament.

“With more than 100 employees who live and work in Alpena, supporting family-oriented events, hosting plant tours and offering educational opportunities allow us to introduce young people to STEM activities and the building materials industry,” Jeff Scott, plant manager at Amrize’s Alpena cement plant, said. “We strongly believe in showcasing our business to the next generation of workers, and through unique opportunities such as Kids Day, we can spark an interest or curiosity in sciences and construction that may not have existed otherwise.”

Amrize has supported the Brown Trout Festival for more than 20 years as a sponsor, volunteer, and partner. The company views the event as one of Alpena’s most important community celebrations.

“For more than 20 years, Amrize Alpena has been a proud supporter, volunteer, and sponsor of the Brown Trout Festival, which continues to be one of the community’s most important and celebrated events,” Scott said. “As a longstanding employer with a strong history in Alpena spanning more than 100 years, we’re committed to investing in the places where we live and work.”

Beyond the festival, Amrize supports other local projects. These include the revitalization of the Bay View Sports Complex, material donations to the Lions Club to help build courts at McRae Park, and a partnership with Michigan Brown Trout for Family Fishing Day on Aug. 23.

The company’s most visible contribution during this year’s festival will be the “sand ‘cement’ art” activity at its Kids Day booth. The project is designed to give children a simple, tangible lesson in how cement is made.

“As a fun way to demonstrate the composition and craftsmanship behind cement manufacturing, our team of volunteers will help participants mix sand — the ‘aggregate’ — and glue — the ‘binder’ — until a small clump forms, which will serve as the foundation for their miniature cement casting mold,” Scott said. “Participants will decorate their creations and walk away with a unique ornament.”

“More importantly, the activity offers a fun, hands-on introduction to the science and chemistry behind the building materials that help shape our communities,” Scott added. “We hope it sparks curiosity and inspires the next generation of builders, engineers, and innovators.”

Children who want a more durable finished piece can choose to leave their ornament at the booth. Volunteers will collect contact information from those participants so the items can harden and be picked up before the family leaves the festival.

“The ornament should be kept in a dry place and left undisturbed for about 24 hours, or longer if humidity affects the drying process,” Scott said. “Once fully hardened, the mold can be safely removed. To preserve the natural decorations and casting, we recommend avoiding water and handling the ornament with care.”

Scott said the activity reflects the company’s broader commitment to the community and its workforce.

“Our Amrize Alpena Cement Plant has been a cornerstone of the community for generations, and following the launch of our ‘Made in America’ cement label, this activity is one small way to showcase the pride that comes in producing a critical building material that helps shape the communities where we live and work,” Scott said. “Many of our teammates are second- and third-generation employees, reflecting a long tradition of craftsmanship, dedication, and commitment to producing the high-performance building materials our customers rely on. We’re proud to produce ‘Made in America’ cement here in Alpena, supporting local jobs, local manufacturing and continued growth in our community.”

The Brown Trout Festival draws families from across Northeast Michigan each year. Amrize’s sponsorship and Kids Day activity continue the company’s long-standing practice of combining community support with opportunities that highlight careers in manufacturing and construction.

Josh Jambor can be reached at jjambor@thealpenanews.com.