Spirit of the Blues joining Ladies of the Blues festival

ALPENA, Mich. — The Alpena Blue’s Festival is back on Saturday– highlighting the Ladies of the Blues with an all-female lineup. While that’s going on, The Fresh Palate will be highlighting Michigan–made spirits in their Spirit of the Blues festival– right next to the concert.

“What we’re doing is highlighting michigan craft spirits,” said Eric Peterson, the owner of The Fresh Palate. “Just showcasing how Michigan is doing a great job in the alcohol scene.”

The festival will include cocktails, tastings and samples, and more. Peterson says while the drinks may not be Blues inspired– the festival will still have some of the Blues spirit.

“Twelve hours of blues music and 6 hours of spirits drinking,” said Peterson. “It should be a good time.”

Peterson says one of his goals for the festival is to connect the younger and older generations with blues music and modern cocktails.

“Hopefully to attract the younger crowd,” Peterson said. “That exposes them to the Blues. Then the boomers and such that like Blues music then are getting exposed to younger traditional cocktails that kids are gobbling up.”

Relaxing with blues music and enjoying a drink, peterson says, is a great way to kick off what looks to be a normal summer again.

“It’s a good thing just to get people out mingling again,” Peterson said. “Feeling a little bit normal, relaxing, having a cocktail, listening to some Blues and having a good time.”

The Spirit of the Blues festival starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday during the Ladies of the Blues Festival, and 11 Michigan distilleries and 2 Michigan wineries will be featured.