ALPENA — Alpena will get a Las Vegas-inspired night out on Sept. 17, when the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its 15th Annual Alpenopoly Grub Crawl. The event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will combine food, drinks, games and entertainment at eight local establishments.
The Vegas theme is designed to give participants a taste of The Strip while showcasing Alpena businesses. Organizers are encouraging guests to wear fancy or gaudy clothing as participating locations recreate a Sin City atmosphere with decorations and casino-style games.
Eight Alpena stops on the route
The featured businesses are Court Yard Restaurant, HopSide Brewery, Joe’s Bar, Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe, PIF Cider, Rusty’s Corks & Cocktails, Sneakers Bar and Thunder Bay Winery.
In addition to the games at participating businesses, the chamber will offer a Vegas-themed photo booth with a Vegas background and props. Some stops are within blocks of the chamber office and can be reached on foot.
Shuttles, tickets and what is included
Because other participating businesses are farther from the downtown area, the chamber plans to provide two shuttles. The chamber office will serve as the main pickup location, and the shuttles will drop off and pick up participants at the business destinations.
Tickets cost $30 per person and must be purchased in advance through the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. Each ticket includes a commemorative bandana, a game board, shuttle transportation, games, appetizers and drink specials.
Alisha Bouchard, the chamber’s membership and events director, said ticket supplies are limited and that the event typically sells out quickly. Participants should plan ahead rather than wait until the last minute.
“We have limited tickets this year so when they are gone, they are gone. So don’t wait.”
Game board deadline and prizes
Guests who complete and submit their game boards by the 10 p.m. event deadline will be entered into a prize drawing. The prizes will include a variety of items, with winners announced during a Facebook Live drawing at 10:30 p.m. Winners will be contacted the following day.
Attendees will also be able to vote for their favorite stop along the route. Bouchard said the chamber and participating businesses are putting substantial effort into creating the Vegas setting for the evening.
“We’ll have Vegas decorations and casino style games in the businesses,” she said. “There will also be a Vegas-themed photo booth with a Vegas background and props for people to take pictures with.”
The Alpenopoly Grub Crawl gives local residents an evening route through Alpena restaurants, breweries, bars, a sausage shop, a cider business and a winery, while offering transportation between stops where needed.