Scenes from Opening Night of the Brown Trout Festival

It’s northeast Michigan’s biggest festival of the year. The 49th annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival kicked off on Friday night with music in the big tent, and vendors all around the little tent.

“It’s great;” said David Dailey, a vendor at the festival. “We’ve been here for three days setting it up, we’ve got vendors still coming, there will be more Sunday, and the fishermen are ready, and the music is playing. Can’t get any better.”

Brown Trout is more than just a fishing tournament. It’s a chance for the community to truly come together and enjoy food, music, and each other’s company.

For some new Alpena residents, that community togetherness is a welcome experience.

“We just are excited to be here;” said Tom Smith, a new Alpena Resident. “My wife’s retired, I work from home, so we’re just excited to be part of Alpena.”

Brown Trout can even carry a family atmosphere, even a family atmosphere that spans over thousands of miles.

The Darga family is holding their 44th annual reunion in Posen, but decided to stop by Brown Trout. They have family visiting the area from as far as Washington State.

“We’re super excited to be here because this place has everything to offer,” said Leeandra Darga, who is attending the festival from Traverse City. “We’re by the water; you’ve got this great festival going on here, and we’re super excited to be here.”

As the festival spans ten days, they plan on coming back throughout the week, and possibly even in the future.

“Yeah, we’ll have to make this a tradition;” said Michaela Darga who is attending the festival for the first time. “We’ll have to get sweatshirts every time we’re here.”

Anglers headed out on the water at 6 AM on Saturday, and more festivities will take place throughout the week.