sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com
News File Photo
A group of ladies dance at the Neiman’s Beach Party at the Michigan Brown Trout Festival in this 2019 photo.
ALPENA The Michigan Brown Trout Festival in Alpena this summer is a go this summer, and the big tent will return after a brief hiatus last year.
The festival board voted Monday to include the tent this year, but a more limited event schedule is planned.
The small tent, which was set up last year, but without bands, will feature some live entertainment this year, Brown Trout Festival President Peggy Donakowski said.
All of the events are subject to change or cancellation, depending on the COVID-19 safety regulations at the time of the event which runs July 15-25.
Alpena News editorial
It may long be remembered, when someone finally writes the complete history of the coronavirus pandemic’s effect on Northeast Michigan, that Rogers City fired the first salvo attacking the weirdness of the era and fighting for the return to normalcy.
The pandemic robbed us of so many things, including our beloved community events that bring us all together, welcome out-of-towners to our great city, and thrust life into our economy year after the year. The Rogers City Nautical Festival, the Michigan Brown Trout Festival, the Posen Potato Festival, county fairs, those and many other events all canceled or severely scaled back in 2020.
sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com
News Photo By Steve Schulwitz
Rotary Club of Alpena President Wendy Servia, left, and President-elect JoAnne Gallagher visit Rotary Island Park in the Thunder Bay River in Alpena last week. The club plans renovations to the island this year and a celebration in 2022 to honor the club’s 100th anniversary.
ALPENA After fighting through a challenging year of canceled fundraising events and community projects in 2020, area service groups hope to rebound this year.
Only time and COVID-19 will determine if that will happen.
Already, several 2021 events are scrapped, and others changed to virtual methods as the pandemic and related restrictions continue.