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Is there anything better than springtime in downtown Alpena?
Buds are on the trees, the fountain is in at Culligan Plaza, planters are filled with flowers, and downtown seems to come alive again with the promise of another busy summer.
At the Downtown Development Authority office, we are gearing up for our new event, the Alpena Flower Festival, taking place next weekend on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3.
Over 30 downtown businesses have sponsored installations made of fresh florals by four local florists. From colorful swags on business' doors to large photo-ops in Culligan Plaza, downtown is going to be decked out with fresh flowers. We have a full schedule of events planned with the help of community partners: live music with the Street Performers, workshops at Art in the Loft, a storytime and floral crown craft at the library, a poetry walk and open-mic night with The Poetics Lab, and more.
Flowers seem to be the theme of the last week. Our office was packed with new flower planters that will be rented to downtown businesses. Over 2,000 begonia plugs were planted by over 20 amazing volunteers last weekend, despite the rain. Those flowers were donated by the generosity of over 40 individuals and organizations who contributed to the flower fund. Hanging flower baskets arrive next week, as will planters planted by Pied Piper students for the alleyway between 2nd and 3rd Avenue.
Downtown in bloom, signs of spring and renewal.
People seem to be returning downtown, too, coming out of hibernation after a long winter.
In the last week alone, there is a noticeable change in the number of people coming downtown, not only with the change in the weather but with the opening of the Sanctuary Cinema, which officially opened its doors this month after a beautiful renovation. After nearly five years without a movie theater, it is exciting to see the people and energy that the theater is bringing downtown again.
Each year, I receive more and more comments about how much our downtown has changed. We are lucky to have many long-standing businesses downtown that have seen (and withstood) its changes over the decades. Yes, downtown has changed, but the biggest change I have noticed over my six years here is the change in attitude our community has about our downtown. There is a renewed sense of pride and a desire to be involved in its future.
Flowers may seem a frivolous focus when there is other work still to be done downtown. When I go to other towns and see their public spaces well-maintained (and filled with flowers), it is evident that the community there cares about the place and cares to put its best foot forward. Someone there loves their community enough to take the time to plant flowers, to make it beautiful for locals and tourists. Believes it is a place that is worthy to be invested in, to grow.
Downtown Alpena has a lot of competitors. Online shopping continues to challenge retailers. There are beautiful downtowns all throughout the state who have larger populations, larger budgets, and are much easier to travel to. I am proud that our community is seeing its worth as a place worthy to be invested in, full of opportunity and promise. And, yes, more and more flowers.
After a slow winter, we look forward to welcoming you back downtown to see the changes and to see it truly bloom.
Anne Gentry graduated from Brown University with a degree in comparative literature and has studied in Italy and South Australia. She is currently executive director of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority.