The Thunder Bay Arts Council hosted the event in conjunction with a new Harvest Fest, sponsored by Thunder Bay Winery. Shades of Fall was featured from noon to 3 p.m., followed by the Harvest Fest until 9 p.m.

The Shades of Fall Festival offered plenty for the kids to enjoy, including crafts, an inflatable obstacle course, yard games, and more.

In Culligan Plaza, kits were provided for kids to make their own sailboats and watch them float in the fountain. On 2nd Avenue, a table was filled with totes for kids to decorate as their trick-or-treat bags for Halloween.

Also for the kids, Kevin Kammeraad and Friends held puppet shows with lots of audience participation and songs, and a hayride singalong was offered.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Kids enjoy the Candy Corn Ring Toss and Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss games at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

Nearby, patrons could watch live pumpkin carving stations as the artists turn their fruit into beautiful designs.

Members of the Michigan Army National Guard were present and brought several fun activities, including an inflatable obstacle course, Connect 4, and a mat and suits for those who wanted to try sumo wrestling.

Various themed yard games were available for everyone to enjoy, including Candy Corn Ring Toss, Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss, and Pumpkin Bowling.

A call back to the Flower Fest, Wilson’s Lasting Expressions held a fall-themed build-your-own-bouquet station with lots of orange, yellow, red, and white flowers to tie in all the fall colors.

Throughout 2nd Avenue, businesses displayed their uniquely decorated scarecrows, adding to the fall decor.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco The Thunder Bay Arts Council’s scarecrow is seen at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday. Several downtown businesses participated in the decor by decorating a scarecrow personalized to their product.

Starting at 11 a.m., the Thunder Bay Winery was open throughout both events for the adults to stop by for some wine.

The winery offered glasses, flights, and tastings, and even had new flavors available and drink specials for those who stopped by.

Later in the afternoon, business picked up for the winery as it hosted its Harvest Fest.

Glasses were poured and more yard games were featured, like life-sized Jenga, corn hole, and ladder toss.

Live music began at 3 p.m. and continued through the evening. Ethereal Purr and Way Our Wayne, as well as June St. Riot, were musical guests who played at the event.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco People are seen battling in their sumo wrestling suits provided by the National Guard at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

Also for the Harvest Fest, food opportunities were plentiful from the Smoking Trolls food truck to a hot dog eating contest at Bob’s Bull Pen and a taco bar at Mango’s.

The festival allowed the community to get a solid kick-off to the fall season while enjoying the last bit of summer weather.

Torianna Marasco can be reached at 989-358-5686 or tmarasco@thealpenanews.com.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Kids are seen lining up to enter the inflatable obstacle course presented by the National Guard at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Kids, with the help of a parent, build and design their own sailboats before testing them out in the Culligan Plaza fountain at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco A scarecrow in front of Olivet Book and Gift in downtown Alpena is seen at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Wilson’s Lasting Expressions hosts a build-your-own-bouquet station at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Plain tote bags were available for kids to decorate and save to use as their trick-or-treat bags for Halloween at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco The personalized sunglasses station is seen at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday where kids were able to choose a color, style, and bead design to create their one-of-a-kind accessory.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco A kid slides down the inflatable obstacle course presented by the National Guard at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco A child celebrates his strike in pumpkin bowling at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.

News Photo by Torianna Marasco Kevin Kammeraad and Friends hold a puppet show with lots of audience participation and songs at the Shades of Fall Festival in downtown Alpena on Saturday.