Courtesy Photo Alpena High School students attend the 2019 prom in this photo provided by high school Principal Tom Berriman.

ALPENA — Alpena High School has canceled its prom but is planning a separate event for graduating seniors.

High School Principal Tom Berriman on Monday shared on Twitter that prom was cancelled because of the state health department’s current guidelines. Later that day, a permit to allow a festival for the Class of 2021 in downtown Alpena was approved by Alpena Municipal Council.

“Current Michigan Department of Health and Human Service orders do not allow us to hold lock-in or prom,” Berriman said, noting the orders expire on May 24 and the high school’s graduation is on May 23.

Berriman earlier this month submitted the application for the festival, which would be held from 5 to 11 p.m. on May 21. A block of 2nd Avenue from Downtown Scoops to PNC bank would be blocked off, although the general public would still have access to the sidewalks.

The festival is being organized by Kids and Parents United Together — or KAPUT — and will be held in lieu of the high school’s senior lock-in. KAPUT traditionally holds an event for seniors on the Friday before graduation.

“The Alpena High School Class of 2021 has missed out on the majority of their senior year during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Berriman stated in the application. “This event will give the class an opportunity to celebrate their senior year in a manner that they deserve.”

Festivities would include music, dancing, corn hole, card games, knocker ball, and other entertainment opportunities.

Approximately 250 people would attend the property, according to the application, including 226 seniors and 24 high school staff, who will supervise and police the area to ensure appropriate behavior.

City officials require high school officials to provide their own food service, trash cans, restrooms, lighting, and barriers to enclose the event, according to the permit.

City Manager Rachel Smolinski said the event organizers would be required to follow whatever public health order is in place at the time.

“Obviously, if there are any public health orders in effect through the state at the time, they would have to abide by those,” Smolinski said. “That would basically supersede anything we’ve approved.”