News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Arena Chamber of Commerce Director of Events Ashley DeFisher on Wednesday sets up a display of bandannas that will act as both tickets and a game board for the upcoming Grub Crawl event.

ALPENA — The annual Grub Crawl is one of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce’s most popular events, and people who want to participate this year better hurry to get tickets as the event is expected to sell out once again.

The Grub Crawl, which happens Sept. 12, showcases local restaurants and some taverns as participants move from one business to the next to sample food and purchase specialty drinks. Ten locations are participating in this year’s crawl.

Chamber President Jackie Krawczak said the event is a good way for businesses to attract new customers and for people to learn more about the businesses. She said the event has spurred traffic in the places that have taken part in the past, and she believes this year will be the same.

“There is tremendous value in this for the businesses,” Krawczak said. “People tend to go to the same places they like over and over. This is a way for them to check new places out and then, hopefully, come back again.”

Krawczak said shuttles will take participants to and from each location, or people can use their own desired means of transportation. There will also be free cab rides home for participants.

This year’s crawl has a western theme, and people can dress up like the days of the Old West. Instead of paper tickets, each participant receives a bandanna, which also is utilized as a game board. Participants get stickers at each stop and turn them in at the end of the night. If they collect stickers from all of the stops, they could win prizes.

Krawczak said the event has grown in popularity since it began nine years ago. The first year, 200 tickets were for sale. Demand has forced the Chamber to bump that number to 360. When tickets are sold out, there is usually a waiting list with names of people hoping for cancellations.

“The interest from the community is huge,” she said. “The businesses are also quick to sign up, because it is a great way to show off your establishment and meet potential customers. It is a positive experience for everyone.”

Grub Crawl is coming

The ninth annual Alpenopoly Grub Crawl happens from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sept. 12.

Tickets are on sale now and cost $20 each until Sept. 4. After that, tickets will be $25 until sold out. Tickets can be purchased at the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, 235 W. Chisholm St.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 989-354-4181.

Participating businesses:

19th Hole

Court Yard Ristorante

CW’s Restaurant

Joe’s Bar

Latitudes Tavern

Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe

Players Pub and Grub

Pompeyos Mexican Grill

Thunder Bay River Restaurant

Thunder Bay Theatre

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.com.