Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is excited to welcome the community to its annual Fall Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 3, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This family-friendly fall tradition offers a unique afternoon of hands-on activities, historic tours, fossil hunting, live music, and seasonal treats for visitors of all ages.
One of the highlights of Fall Harvest Fossil Fest is the opportunity to tour the museum's historic buildings and explore areas of the campus that are only open to the public during special events. Children can enjoy a variety of activities including a pumpkin patch, face painting, carnival games, and crafts.
The Girl Scouts of St Paul Lutheran Church Troops 992, 2313, and 1033 will be hosting tours of the 1912 Spratt Church, along with children’s activities and sing-a-longs. Members of the Delta Kappa Gamma will be hosting activities in the one-room schoolhouse. Members of the Manning family will be hosting the McKay Cabin. Additional children’s activities will be provided by Northeast Michigan Family Resource Center, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, MSU Sea Grant, NEMIGLSI, and United Way’s Imagination Playground.
Visitors will have the chance to discover the rich maritime and fisheries heritage of the Great Lakes through guided tours of the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Exhibit, including boarding the historic 1928 Katherine V wooden fish tug and the retired DNR Chinook Research Vessel. Guests can also learn about one of the Great Lakes' most fascinating species through a special display presented by Hammond Bay Biological Station, featuring live sea lampreys that visitors can handle.
Geology enthusiasts and curious explorers alike will enjoy displays from the Michigan Geological Survey, showcasing Michigan's unique rocks, minerals, and geological features. Guests can also search for Devonian fossils in the museum's Fossil Park and keep any fossils they discover.
Live entertainment will be provided by The Roughnecks of Truckey Road from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Seasonal refreshments will be available for purchase, including fall-flavored donuts and cider from AJ's Berry Farm. Hot dogs and hot fudge sundaes will also be available for purchase.
Fall Harvest Fossil Fest offers a memorable way for families to celebrate the season while exploring the natural, cultural, and maritime history of Northeast Michigan.
ADMISSION
Adults: $10
Children (ages 0-14): $5
Military: $5
Family Rate (up to 6 people): $40
Besser Museum Members: Free
Children under 4: Free
ACTIVITIES Included with Admission
Pumpkin patch for kids
Face painting
Sea lamprey display from Hammond Bay Biological Station
Kids crafts
Old-fashioned games and sing-a-longs in the 1912 Spratt Church
United Way Imagination Playground
Carnival Games provided by Northeast Michigan Family Resource Center
Katherine V wooden fish tug tours
Chinook Research Vessel tours
Historic village tours
Devonian fossil hunting
Michigan Geological Survey exhibits
Fishing heritage activities presented by MSU Sea Grant and NEMIGLSI
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary - Virtual Diving of shipwrecks
Live music by The Roughnecks of Truckey Road
Inside the museum, you can experience the Discover Northeast Michigan History Exhibit, Fish & Animal Displays, Juried Art Exhibit, Nina Gee Solo Art Exhibit, Lynsie Dietz Macrame Exhibit, and visit the Gift Shop.
Location: Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan
491 Johnson Street
Alpena, MI 49707
Website URL: https://www.bessermuseum.org/fallfest2026