2024 Festival Schedule

Sunday, July 7

8:00 AM Alpenfest Street Sweep - Bring a broom and join the Alpenfest Committee and Black Jackets as they sweep the streets clean prior to the start of Alpenfest. Upon completion, join us in the comradery as we serve coffee and donuts and share stories and memories of past Alpenfest festivals under the Pavilion.

Tuesday, July 9

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Alpenfest Honors Luncheon and Awards Presentation - Join the Alpenfest Committee under the Pavilion as we honor several individuals who supported Alpenfest over the years. Jacket presentation to this year's Parade Marshall, Der Buergermeister, Dar Award Winner and Edelweiss Award Winner. We will also recognize our Honored Business. Entertainment by the Gaylord Alpine Band. Daniel Duncan from Duncan Studios will be be working on a live community painting that will be auctioned off at the end of the luncheon. Luncheon tickets must be purchased in advance at gaylordchamber.com/events. Tickets $25.00 adults and $10.00 children. Tickets will not be sold the day of the event.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Alpen Idol Registration - Claude Shannon Park Sign up for Alpen Idol auditions. Must be registered to audition.

1:30 PM- 3:00 PM Senior Bingo - Under Main Stage Pavilion, For Seniors Only! Prizes Awarded. Sponsored by Awakon Federal Credit Union

2:00 PM Alpenstrasse, Ethnic Alley and T. J. Schmidt Amusements Carnival opens

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Art Tent Painting with Nature - Kids will make nature paintbrushes by using twigs, leaves, flowers, etc, and then use this “paintbrush” to make some art! Sponsored by the Otsego Conservation District

5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies - Main Stage, Willkommen by Mayor Todd Sharrard, and singing of National Anthem. Presentation of Colors by Ralph Holewinski VFW Post 1518, Alphorn Salute and introduction of Der Buergermeister, Honored Business, Dar and Edelweiss Awards. Also presenting our 2024 Alpenfest Queen Contestants and our 2024 Pin Design winners.

5:00 PM Wurst Wagon - Under Main Stage Pavilion, Delicious hot dogs and chips are sponsored and served up hot and fresh by our finest Michigan State Police Officers.

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Art Tent Tie-Dye Shirts - This all ages activity includes 1 free shirt and tie-dye stations. Supplies are limited. Sponsored by The Team Real Estate Group

5:30 PM Alpenfest Idol Preliminary Round - Claude Shannon Park Come audition for Gaylord’s own Alpenfest Idol. All ages welcome. Bring your own chairs.

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Art Tent Lampion Making - Make your Lampion for Burning of the Boogg Parade. Bring your flashlight to the art tent and we will provide the rest. Sponsored by the Alpenfest Queen Candidates

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Nameless - Main Stage, Nameless brings your favorite “deep hits” of the 70s and 80s to Gaylord. Come rock with us to kick off night 1 of Alpenfest!

10:00 PM Burning of the Böögg - Put your troubles on paper, slip them inside the Böögg and watch them go up in smoke. Trouble slips are located at the base of the Böögg under the Pavilion. Lampion and Boog parade start at 10:00 PM and continues to the corner of First Street and Center.

Wednesday, July 10

8:30 AM Alpenfest Attire Contest - Family Fare Parking Lot Categories for Best Dressed Family, Individual, and Child. Winners and prizes announced after the walking parade at World's Largest Coffee Break.

9:00 AM Alpenfest Walking Parade - Join the Gaylord Alpine Band led by Gary Waldo and come dressed in your finest Alpenfest attire for the annual walking parade. Parade starts at the Family Fare parking lot and ends at the World’s Larges Coffee Break, walking down Main Street.

9:30 AM Die Groeste Kaffe Pause - The World’s Largest Coffee Break Under Main Stage Pavilion, All ages welcome. Join us for coffee, donuts, and milk. Listen to the sounds of the The Gaylord Alpine Band. Sponsored by Coldwell Banker

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Art Tent Painting with Dan Duncan - Follow along with local Northern Michigan artist Daniel Duncan as he helps you create a 16x20 acrylic painting! Pre Registration is required for this event! Tickets can be purchased at www.duncanstudiosboynecity.com. Ticket price $40

10:30 AM Potato Sack Races - Courthouse Lawn, Various age categories. Prizes awarded.

11:00 AM Alpenstrasse, Ethnic Alley, and T.J. Schmidt Amusements opens

11:15 AM Stilt Walking Contest - Courthouse Lawn, All ages welcome. Prizes awarded.

12:00 PM Pizza Eating Contest - Under Main Stage Pavilion, All ages welcome. Prizes awarded. Sponsored by Jets Pizza

1:00 PM Pie Eating - Contest Under the Main Stage Pavilion, All ages welcome. Prizes awarded.

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Art Tent Painting with Dan - Kids can paint with local Northern Michigan artist Daniel Duncan for free. Seating is limited, first come, first serve, with new groups starting at the top of each hour. Sponsored by E-Free Church

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Rosco the Clown and Tommy Tropic - Pavilion Courthouse Lawn. Be entertained with balloon artistry, juggling, and lots of laughs.

1:30 PM Bubble Gum Blowing Contest - Under Main Stage Pavilion, All ages welcome. Prizes awarded.

2:00 PM Goldfish Eating Contest - Under Main Stage Pavilion, All ages welcome. Prizes awarded.

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Frohliche Musiker Blasorchester Band - Main Stage, The Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester (FMB) is a 14-piece Bavarian-style band based in Saginaw, Michigan. They offer a high-energy, audience-interactive performance in the tradition of German Oktoberfest.

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Satisfaction, the International Rolling Stones Tribute Show - Main Stage Satisfaction/The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show" is the international touring tribute show to the World's Greatest Rock & Roll Band. This highly acclaimed production showcases the most authentic cast & costuming of its kind as the world’s greatest show honoring the Rolling Stones and their legacy.

Thursday, July 11

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Art Tent Mommy and Me Yoga - Practice the power of presence with our kids! Take a 30-minute mental break to play, breathe, and move together. This event is geared toward moms and their elementary-age kids. Instructor: Emilee Genewick

11:00 AM Alpenstrasse & Ethnic Alley open

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Jump Rope Competition - Courthouse Lawn, Various age categories. Prizes awarded.

11:30 AM Ladies Ankle Competition - Main Stage, All ages welcome. Who has the thinnest? The smoothest? Prizes awarded.

12:00 PM T.J. Schmidt Amusements Carnival opens

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Art Tent Instrument Making - Kids will have the opportunity to make simple instruments. Sponsored by the Gaylord Community Orchestra

12:15 PM Men’s Knee Competition - Main Stage All ages welcome. Who has the knobbiest? Most Scarred? Most Tan? Prizes awarded.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Rosco the Clown and Tommy Tropic - Courthouse Lawn, Entertaining Alpenfest guests for years with
balloon artistry, juggling and lots of laughs.

1:00 PM La Promenade Des Biscuits - Center of Alpenstrasse, Join us for Gaylord's version of a cake walk. Sponsored by the Gaylord Girl Scouts.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Art Tent Decorate Your Bike - Get ready for the bike parade and bedazzle your bike! Great for all ages! Sponsored by Zonta

3:00 PM Bike & Trike Parade - In Front of Sherriff Department, Show off your decorated bikes with Rosco the Clown.

4:00 PM Stone Throw Contest - East Side of Pavilion parking lot, Test your strength and see how far you can throw the stone. Ages 18 and older. Prizes awarded.

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Line Dancing Class - Under Main Stage Pavilion, Come learn to line dance to a song for tonight‘s Main Stage Entertainment “Mega 80‘s“. Hosted by Suzie from Little Traverse Line Dance

5:00 PM Ice Cream Social - Under Main Stage Pavilion, Banana splits with toppings. Sponsored by Alpine Chocolat Haus

5:00 PM- 5:30 PM Gaylord Community Productions - Main Stage, Selections from summer musical ‘Matilda‘. Come watch the full musical August 8th-11th at the Gornick Auditorium at Gaylord High School. Tickers on sale at gaylordcommunityproductions.com

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Art Tent Arts & Crafts Stations - Sponsored by E-Free Kidz Jam

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM The Afters - Concert at United Methodist Church lawn on First & Center St.

6:00 PM Brat Eating Contest - Under the Pavilion, This contest is limited to 12 contestants. Contestants must be 18 years old or older to enter. Eat as many brats as you can in 10 minutes for your chance to be the 2024 Brat Eating Contest winner! Sponsored by Nowicki's Sausage Shoppe Gaylord

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Mega 80s - Main Stage, Take a handful of your favorite 80's songs, a splash of some retro fashion, a pinch of panache and an eye-popping video spectacle in the background and what do you get? The Mega 80's, of course! Now veterans of the 80's cultural milieu, they are still rocking as hard as ever. The proof is in the pudding!

Friday, July 12

9:00 AM Pancake and Sausage Breakfast - Under the Main Stage Pavilion, Start your day off with a pancake and sausage breakfast. Sponsored by Gaylord Community Schools

11:00 AM Art Tent Pet Parade - Make your pet the star of the Strasse at the Pet Parade with Rosco the Clown. Registration at the Art Tent. Prizes awarded. Dogs Must Be On Leash.

11:00 AM Alpenstrasse, Ethnic Alley, and T.J. Schmidt Amusements Carnival opens

12:00 PM T.J. Schmidt Amusements Carnival opens

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Art Tent Origami - Celebrating Japanese Adventures at the Library Sponsored by the Otsego County Library

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Alpenfest Idol Finals - Main Stage. Cheer on our Alpen Idol finalists as they go after the grand prize of becoming our 2024 Gaylord Alpenfest Idol Winners.

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Rosco the Clown and Tommy Tropic - Courthouse Lawn. Be entertained with balloon artistry juggling, and lots of laughs.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Line Dancing Class - Under Main Stage Pavilion, Come learn to line dance to a song for tonight‘s Main Stage Entertainment Family Tradition Band. Hosted by Suzie from Little Traverse Line Dance.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Art Tent Bird House Building - Sponsored by Smith Realty

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Art Tent Crown Decorating - Kids can get ready to cheer on the Queen candidates by decorating their own crowns. Sponsored by Foster Care Regional Resource Team

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Alpenfest Run Registration Pickup - At the North Central State Trailhead.

6:00 PM Alpenfest Queens & Alpenfest Princess Pageant - Main Stage, Local ladies will be competing for the crown and honor of becoming our 2024 Gaylord Alpenfest Queen and Princess

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Family Tradition Band - Main Stage, FTB is a modern take on an old timeless classic sound which includes many traditional country elements such as fiddle, banjo and pedal steel guitar. This combined with spot-on vocal harmonies, dual electric guitars and a rock solid rhythm section, is what creates the authenticity of the band.

Saturday, July 13

8:00 AM Farmers Market - Court and First Street

7:30 AM Alpenfest Run - Start and end at North Central State Trailhead. Bragging rights to top finishers. Free Commemorative Alpenfest Run T- shirt and medals to the first 300 runners who register. You may register online HERE!

Registration 6:30AM
Doppellauf 7:30AM
Alpen Half Marathon 7:30AM
10k starts at 9:00 AM
5.9k starts at 10:00 AM
1 mile Fun Run/Walk starts at 11AM

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Art Tent Make Some Noise - Prepare for the parade and create your very own noisemakers!

11:00 AM Alpenstrasse, Ethnic Alley, and T.J. Schmidt Amusements Carnival opens

12:00 PM T.J. Schmidt Amusements Carnival opens

12:00 PM Alpenfest Grand Parade - The pageantry of Gaylord’s premier parade unfolds down Main Street and Otsego Avenue.

1:00 PM - 1:30 PM Grand Traverse Pipe and Drum - Main Stage, Founded in 1974, The Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums have entertained crowds throughout the Northern Michigan region. The haunting sound of the pipes, the crisp thunder of the drums, and the flash of the kilts is a delight to the eyes and ears!

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Petoskey Steel Drum Band Concert - Court and 2nd Street, The Petoskey Steel Drum Band brings a unique sound to events all over Michigan. This group of about 40 students performs a blend of Caribbean steel drum music with contemporary tunes

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM New Brass Express Concert - Main Stage, The New Brass Express features a group of versatile musicians who love to perform all types of music!

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Rosco the Clown - Under the Main Stage Pavilion, Join Rosco as he makes his way around the festival entertaining children and families of all ages. Many Gaylord parents grew up with Rosco at Alpenfest and now their children and grandchildren are enjoying his magic of balloon artistry.

3:00 PM Walking Tacos - Under the Main Stage Pavilion, Join us for a new Alpenfest favorite as we serve walking tacos to the many fans of Alpenfest. Sponsored by the Nowicki Family

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM RepliKaty-The Katy Perry Experience - Main Stage, RepliKaty dazzles audiences with their vibrant and meticulously crafted tribute to pop superstar Katy Perry. She captures the essence of Katy’s iconic stage presence, flamboyant costumes, and powerhouse vocals. RepliKaty ensures every concert is a feast for the senses, promising not just a musical tribute, but a full-scale pop spectacle, inviting fans to sing along and relive the magic of Katy Perry’s most memorable performances.

9:00 PM Alpenfest Comes to an End - We hope you had an enjoyable week here at the 59th Alpenfest and hope to see you again next year. Thank you on behalf of the Gaylord Area Chamber of Commerce and Alpenfest Committee.