Sawyer Brown headlines 75th anniversary Posen Potato Festival
A tribute to 25th anniversary of 9/11
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ALPENA -- Sawyer Brown, a national touring country music group, will kick off the 75th anniversary of the Posen Potato Festival on Sept. 11 with a "Roots and Remembrance Night."
Tickets for the concert go on sale today.
Sawyer Brown won Star Search in 1984, which was the original televised American talent show that preceded American Idol and The Voice. It was hosted by Ed McMahon, and ran from 1983 to 1995.
Other notable contestants over the years included Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Adam Sandler, Dave Chappelle, and more.
According to a press release from Blackwater NE, the company partnering with the Posen Chamber of Commerce, Sawyer Brown spent its first year-and-a-half on the road with country and pop star Kenny Rogers, opening his shows in arenas across the country.
The band has performed over 6,000 shows, released 24 albums, and put out 51 singles. The group's number one hit was "Some Girls Do" in 1992.
Sawyer Brown holds 11 industry awards which include awards from the Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music (ACM,) and Country Music Television (CMT). The group has also shared the stage with other artists which include Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dolly Parton, and more.
Posen Chamber of Commerce President Andrea Konwinski said that Sawyer Brown coming to Posen is going to bring something different to the festival, marking its 75th anniversary, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
"As the chamber president, and I know my board members are pretty excited too, that we are bringing something different to the festival," she said. "I think businesses are going to benefit from this."
Konwinski explained that because Posen doesn't have any motels, she expects festival goers to take advantage of lodging in surrounding areas such as Alpena and Rogers City. She also expects surrounding restaurants and gas stations to benefit, as well.
The Posen Potato Festival has a long history in Northeast Michigan which began as a harvest celebration in October. It was later moved to September, and became the festival that generations have become familiar with over the years.
"The festival is a very special thing for the people of Posen," Konwinski added. "It was celebrating the harvesting of the potatoes. We've kept the theme of the potatoes and the heritage."
Making it to 75 years is a milestone for any festival, and Konwinski stated that the enduring legacy has continued because of the dedication of the Posen Chamber of Commerce and its board members.
"I think it’s wonderful. I'm happy that we still have active board members," she said. "Organizations are having trouble getting board members. I'm very happy that we have a chamber in Posen."
Blackwater NE CEO Mike Romanowski said that the kickoff to the Posen Potato Festival is going to be a "country party."
The gate for VIP admission will open at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, and the general admission gate will open at 5:30 p.m. VIP tickets cost $125 and general admission tickets cost $25. All are currently on sale at eventbrite.com.
Romanowski said that VIP tickets ensure a front row view and a meet-and-greet with the band.
Though Sawyer Brown is headlining the show, local and regional acts will also make an appearance, including a tribute to 9/11.
"Part of the show is going to be a tribute to that," Romanowski said. "It's a huge part of our history. That’s a big deal, too. That's kind of what sparked all of this."
Romanowski said that Blackwater NE is proud to be involved with the 75th anniversary of the long running festival in his own hometown.
"This means a lot to me as being a resident of Posen my whole life," Romanowski said in a text message. "I never thought we would have an opportunity to bring something this amazing to my hometown. If Posen is known for anything, people know about the Potato Festival. When I was in college in Indianapolis, I ran into a lot of people who knew of it all the way down there. Our hope is to take the festival to a new level and really put Posen on the map."
Romanowski explained that the Xtreme Sports World Series had to be moved from Northeast Michigan to Chattanooga, Tennessee for 2026. However, the athletes, which include Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series athletes, will be attending the festival to show their support.
"We are happy to have the athletes come back up for the festival and be part of the whole weekend," Romanowski said.
The Posen Potato Festival kicks off on Sept. 11 and continues Sept. 12 and Sept. 13. Vendors will open at noon on Friday and so will the Native Amusements rides. The Polka Pavilion will host polka bands all weekend, starting at 7 p.m. on Friday. The Grand Festival Parade will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.