Destination: Alpena and the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival
by Ken Marten
The show – or festival – must go on. Despite Michigan’s economic downturn in recent years, the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival in Alpena continues to be a beacon for tourists on the state’s “sunrise side.” Slated for Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 9-12 at the Thunder Bay Recreation Center, this year’s festival is the 13th annual.
Festival coordinator Melanie Kirn said attendance last year was about 3,500. That’s down from previous years when the economy was better and attendance hovered at 10,000. Nevertheless, this year’s festival will include more than 100 vendors of lighthouse and Great Lakes art, knick-knacks and memorabilia, as well as guest speakers, entertainers and activities.
“We’re non-profit, and we’ve unfortunately lost major supporters over the years because of the bad economy, so we’ve had smaller budgets,” said Kirn, a Macomb Township resident. “The entertainment budget has been about $3,500 in the past. This year it’s $800. The entertainers have cut their fees and do more performances. And our guest speakers have all volunteered their time. It’s all about lighthouse history and even maritime history.”