The number of festivals in the area is plentiful, as each community finds something unique to celebrate.

Beginning Friday and continuing through Sunday, the Posen Potato Festival continues to welcome Michiganders and others interested in all the polka dance parties and potato-themed events.

For 73 years, that festival has been a hit, with three days filled with music, food, competitions, amusement rides, races, games, arts and crafts, and more.

This summer also saw the conclusion of the 50th annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival, the longest-running fishing tournament in the Great Lakes, according to the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail.

News File Photo Stacy Rieger arranges a bouquet of flowers at one of the flower bars set up for the Flower Festival in Alpena in June. Rieger staffed the bar for Classic Designs by Doreen Thomas.

The 10-day event featured numerous fishing competitions, as well as plenty of events, from musical guests and trivia to cornhole tournaments and car shows. The largest fish caught this year was Wendy Polk’s 27-pound salmon. Shawn Muszynski took the largest brown trout, at 2.3 pounds.

During the Brown Trout Festival, Bay View Park hosted Art on the Bay, presented by Thunder Bay Arts. It was the event’s 47th year.

This year, there were 149 booths and 112 different vendors, according to Thunder Bay Arts Council First Vice President Clint Kendziorski. Due to the popularity of the event, vendors have already begun signing up for the 2025 event.

Also in Alpena this summer, the Flower Festival was held for the second year. Throughout downtown Alpena, flowers were seen everywhere, from artists in the streets painting them on canvases to several businesses sporting personalized displays to build-your-own-bouquet stations.

The Flower Festival has seen great success in the last two years, and organizers already have planned year three for June 6 through 8, 2025.

News File Photo National act L.A. Guns performs in the big tent at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival at the Alpena harbor in July. A full crowd packed the tent for the performance.

Alpena’s 20th Blues Festival was held in June this year, as well.

The annual music festival celebrates a rich history and culture of blues music, bringing together musicians and enthusiasts from all over. Twelve hours of performances were held at the Alpena County Fairgrounds, featuring artists like Chris Crown and the Get Down Band, Charlie Millard, Motor City Josh and the Big 3, the Jimmys, and more.

Also in June was the 15th annual Long Lake Lights Festival, with live entertainment, fireworks, and other events for everyone in the family to enjoy. The SandBar and Grill hosted a comedy show, arts and crafts show, a Sunday brunch, and more.

In August, the 41st annual Alpena Antique Tractor and Steam Engine Club featured beloved tractor shows, daily flea markets, a tractor parade, concessions, live music, and more.

Aside from festivals, county fairs throughout the area, including the Alpena County Fair, saw great attendance.

News File Photo Leela Shankar puts face paint on Kinsley Nicholas while at the Posen Potato Festival in September 2023.

Another big event in Northeast Michigan was the Nautical City Festival in Rogers City. Two sisters took home crowns this year, as Miss Nautical Coast was Isabel Haselhuhn and Nautical Coast Teen Miss was Lucy Haselhuh.

The parade, with the theme “All Roads Lead Home…” was a hit at the Nautical Festival, along with the Juried Arts and Crafts show and Native Amusements, who provided plenty of carnival rides and games.

Continuing the fun into the fall, the Shades of Fall Festival happens on Sept. 14, in conjunction with a new Harvest Festival sponsored by Thunder Bay Winery. The event will host a day of fall festivities, including the third annual Scarecrow Competition.

To round out the popular festivals, the Northern Michigan Fiber Festival will be held at the APlex on Sept. 28 and 29. Alpena’s only fiber festival is devoted to celebrating and inspiring creativity, according to the festival’s website. Shop for local yarns, crafts, apparel, home decor, and all things fiber-related, including crafting and spinning demos.

The Elk Festival will occur the same weekend, from Sept. 27 to 29, in Atlanta. This year marks the 40th annual event and will feature a variety of activities and events for all ages. Activities include a parade, games, entertainment, a beer tent, a bed race, a pet parade, Kidz Zone, and more.

News File Photo Brown Trout Festival volunteer Mitch Arville cleans a lake trout caught by Tyler Kirkwood during the Michigan Brown Trout Festival in July.

Also at the Elk Festival is the “World Class” Chainsaw Carving Competition. Participants can watch the artisans live from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. that Sunday. Live entertainment will also be available all three days.

The Alpena News newsroom can be reached at 989-354-3111 ext. 617 or newsroom@thealpenanews.com.

News File Photo A waterfall of rainbow-colored flowers flows out of the front seat of a vintage car on display during the Flower Festival in Alpena in June.

News File Photo Jimmy Chen’s carved pumpkins of a dragon and unicorns are displayed during the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena in October 2023.

News File Photo Rosco the Clown makes balloon animals for a group of smiling children at the 2024 Nautical City Festival arts and crafts show in Rogers City.