Michigan Brown Trout Festival

10/20/2026

Calling all Food Vendors for the 53rd Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival! Do you want your food truck front and center in 2027? Apply today at https://www.browntroutfestival.com/ or give Angela Soltysiak a call if this interests you 989-766-3951! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Cosmic Shaved Ice
Truck Your Pizza MI
Fat Freddie's
Nowicki's Sausage Shoppe
mio social Est. 2025
The Smoking Trolls
Wing it
King Edward's Subs

The Brown Trout Festival is a 10-day Festival that combines many different fishing tournaments with live music and entertainment!

10/20/2026

Our Amrize Building Materials Small Tent is looking for musical acts in July 2027🎤Sign up today for a four-hour time slot July 17 through 25. Any questions, contact Angela Soltysiak at 989-766-3951! All applications can be emailed to [email protected]. For more information, check out https://www.browntroutfestival.com/2027-board-of-directors

The Country Poorboys
Birch Road Band
The Unknowns Band
Royston Rednek
The Beachbillies
Embrace the Silence
Last One Out
The Stranded Hobos

10/20/2026

The Veolia Big Tent is looking for its 2027 entertainment! This summer, we enjoyed country music, a kid's day, dueling pianos and more. Get your band or group together and apply today at https://www.browntroutfestival.com/.

For questions, contact Angela Soltysiak at 989-766-3951! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

WATZ Radio
KLT The Rock Station
Noise Pollution AC/DC Tribute
Meijer
VFW Post 2496 Alpena Michigan
Alpena GMC
Friends Together Alpena
Gunnar & The Grizzly Boys
Criminy
Dark Sunday
Exchange Club of Alpena, MI

The Brown Trout Festival is a 10-day Festival that combines many different fishing tournaments with live music and entertainment!

10/19/2026

Looking to get involved in the 53rd Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival? Now is your chance to become a Member-at-Large! Angela Soltysiak can be reached at 989-766-3951 to sign up or learn more about this experience! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Position purpose: Members-at-Large serve as active members of the Board of Directors, representing the interests of the festival organization, supporting planning and operations, and contributing to the successful ex*****on of festival activities.

Primary responsibilities:
• Board participation: Attend board meetings, participate in discussions, and contribute to organizational decisions.
• Committee involvement: Serve on committees or lead assigned projects, such as entertainment, fishing tournaments, sponsorships, advertising, community outreach, vendor coordination, or special events.
• Festival planning: Assist with planning, organizing, and implementing festival activities and events.
• Volunteer support: Recruit, coordinate, and assist volunteers as needed before, during, and after the festival.
• Fundraising: Participate in fundraising initiatives, sponsorship solicitation, donation requests, and other revenue-generating activities.
• Community relations: Promote the festival within the community and help maintain positive relationships with local businesses, sponsors, organizations, and residents.
• Event operations: Assist with event setup, registration, crowd management, cleanup, and other duties assigned by the board or committee chairs.
• Problem-solving: Identify operational concerns, suggest improvements, and help resolve issues that arise during festival planning and ex*****on.
• Board representation: Represent the festival professionally and support decisions made by the Board of Directors.
• Shared responsibility: Participate in evaluating festival activities and recommending improvements for future events.

Qualifications and expectations:
• Willingness to contribute time, effort, and ideas to the organization.
• Ability to work cooperatively with fellow board members and volunteers.
• Commitment to the festival's mission and community involvement.
• Willingness to accept committee assignments and complete agreed-upon responsibilities.
• Ability to act in the best interests of the organization.

Accountability: Members-at-Large are accountable to the Board of Directors and are expected to fulfill assigned duties, follow organizational policies, and support the decisions of the board.

10/19/2026

Are you good with managing a budget? The Michigan Brown Trout Festival board has a Treasurer vacancy it's looking to fill. Contact Angela Soltysiak at 989-766-3951 to apply! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Position purpose: The Treasurer oversees the festival organization's financial records, monitors income and expenses, and provides accurate financial information to help the board make responsible financial decisions.

Primary responsibilities:
• Financial records: Maintain accurate records of all organizational income, expenses, deposits, payments, and account balances.
• Deposits and receipts: Ensure festival revenue, including sponsorships, donations, entry fees, merchandise sales, and other receipts, is properly documented and deposited.
• Payments: Pay approved bills and expenses in accordance with board policies and authorized spending limits.
• Budget preparation: Work with the President, finance committee, and board to prepare an annual operating budget.
• Financial reporting: Present financial reports at regular board meetings, including current balances, income, expenses, and budget comparisons.
• Festival budgeting: Monitor expenses and revenue during festival planning and operations to help keep activities within the approved budget.
• Banking oversight: Maintain appropriate banking records and ensure financial transactions follow established authorization procedures.
• Fundraising and sponsorships: Track sponsorship payments, donations, grants, and other fundraising revenue.
• Tax and regulatory compliance: Coordinate required financial filings and reports with the appropriate accountant, tax professional, or regulatory agency as necessary.
• Year-end reporting: Prepare an annual financial summary and assist with any required financial review or audit.
• Financial transparency: Make financial records available for authorized board review and promptly report significant discrepancies or concerns.

Qualifications and expectations:
• Basic bookkeeping, budgeting, or financial management skills.
• Accuracy, integrity, and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain financial confidentiality.
• Willingness to explain financial reports and answer board questions.

Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors and manages funds in accordance with approved budgets, board policies, applicable laws, and established financial controls.
Recommended financial safeguards: Require supporting documentation for expenses, separate payment approval from recordkeeping when practical, establish clear spending limits, and use two authorized individuals for financial review or approval when appropriate. The Treasurer should not independently authorize personal reimbursements or unapproved expenditures.

10/19/2026

The Michigan Brown Trout Festival Board of Directors is looking for its next Secretary. Contact Angela Soltysiak at 989-766-3951 to apply or learn more about getting involved in the longest fishing tournament on the Great Lakes! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Position purpose: The Secretary is responsible for maintaining accurate organizational records, documenting board decisions, and ensuring that meeting information and official correspondence are properly managed.

Primary responsibilities:
• Meeting minutes: Record accurate minutes at all board meetings, including attendance, motions, votes, decisions, and assigned action items.
• Meeting preparation: Prepare meeting agendas in collaboration with the President and distribute agendas and relevant documents before meetings.
• Recordkeeping: Maintain organized copies of meeting minutes, agendas, bylaws, policies, committee reports, and other official records.
• Correspondence: Receive, prepare, and distribute official correspondence on behalf of the organization as directed by the President or board.
• Communication: Notify board members of meeting dates, times, locations, and schedule changes.
• Document retention: Ensure organizational records are stored securely and are accessible to authorized board members.
• Annual records: Assist with preparing annual reports, updating board rosters, and maintaining records of board officers and committee assignments.
• Support festival operations: Assist with volunteer communications, meeting schedules, and documentation needed for festival planning.

Qualifications and expectations:
• Strong organizational and written communication skills.
• Dependable attendance at board meetings.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and accurate records.
• Willingness to collaborate with officers, committee chairs, and volunteers.

Accountability: Reports to the Board of Directors and performs duties in accordance with the organization's bylaws and board policies.

10/19/2026

Vice President of Grounds is another Board position that is available. Give Angela Soltysiak a call if this interests you 989-766-3951! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Position Summary:
The Vice President of Grounds is responsible for the planning, preparation, maintenance, and overall management of the festival grounds before, during, and after the event. This board member coordinates volunteers, contractors, and committee members to ensure the festival site is clean, safe, attractive, and operational.

Key Responsibilities:
• Develop and oversee the annual grounds preparation plan.
• Coordinate site layout, including placement of tents, stages, vendors, food booths, restrooms, fencing, and signage.
• Coordinate setup and teardown activities before and after the festival.
• Work with utility providers and contractors to ensure adequate electrical, water, and waste services.
• Ensure festival grounds comply with all safety regulations and accessibility requirements.
• Inspect the grounds regularly before and during the festival to identify and resolve maintenance or safety issues.
• Coordinate trash collection, recycling, and post-event cleanup.
• Maintain an inventory of grounds equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Develop and manage the grounds budget in coordination with the Treasurer.
• Attend board meetings and provide updates on grounds planning and readiness.
• Collaborate with other board members to ensure the successful ex*****on of the festival.

Qualifications:
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of grounds maintenance, landscaping, or facility management is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to lift and move equipment and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Commitment to the mission and success of the festival.

Time Commitment:
• Attend monthly board meetings.
• Increased involvement during the months leading up to the festival.
• Be available throughout festival setup, operation, and teardown.

Reports To:
• Festival Board President

Goal:
To ensure the festival grounds are safe, clean, attractive, efficient, and fully prepared to provide an exceptional experience for attendees, vendors, entertainers, and volunteers.

10/19/2026

Are you interested in becoming Vice President for the Michigan Brown Trout Festival Board? Below is more information on the position and time commitment throughout the year. To apply, or get more information, contact Angela Soltysiak 989-766-3951! All applications can be emailed to [email protected].

Position Summary:
The Vice President serves as the second-ranking officer of the Festival Board and supports the President in providing leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of festival operations. The Vice President helps coordinate board activities, oversees committees, ensures projects remain on schedule, and assumes the President's responsibilities in their absence.

Key Responsibilities:
• Assist the President in leading the Board of Directors and advancing the festival's mission and goals.
• Preside over board meetings and festival activities in the absence of the President.
• Support the planning, coordination, and successful ex*****on of the annual festival.
• Monitor the progress of board committees and provide guidance as needed.
• Foster communication and collaboration among board members, committee chairs, volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.
• Assist with volunteer recruitment, orientation, and leadership development.
• Help establish annual goals, priorities, and timelines for the organization.
• Ensure board policies, bylaws, and procedures are followed.
• Participate in strategic planning and organizational development.
• Represent the festival at community meetings, public events, and sponsor functions when requested.
• Work closely with the Treasurer, Secretary, and committee chairs to ensure effective board operations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the President or Board of Directors.

Qualifications:
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with board members, volunteers, sponsors, and community stakeholders.
• Experience in event planning, nonprofit leadership, or volunteer management is preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and solve problems effectively.
• Commitment to the mission and success of the festival.

Time Commitment:
• Attend all regular and special board meetings.
• Participate in committee meetings and planning sessions.
• Attend festival-related events and fundraising activities throughout the year.
• Be available during festival setup, operation, and teardown.

Reports To:
• Festival President

Supervises:
• Committee Chairs (as assigned)
• Volunteers (as assigned)
• Special projects and committees

Goal:
To provide strong leadership and operational support that ensures the Festival Board functions effectively and the annual festival is successfully planned, organized, and executed while promoting the organization's mission and long-term sustainability.

Thank you for your consideration of our VP Position!

10/19/2026

The Michigan Brown Trout Festival wants YOU to join its Board of Directors for the 2027 Festival 🎣

Available positions include Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President of Grounds and Members at Large. For more information, please contact Angela Soltysiak 989-766-3951 or visit https://www.browntroutfestival.com/ 😀

From all of us at the MBTF, thank you for helping us make year 53 possible 👏

08/23/2026

Photos from today's Family Fishing Day 🎣 The event was sponsored by Amrize Building Materials and the Michigan Brown Trout Festival 👏

Thank you Clems Bait and Tackle for donating worms 🐛 Pepsi for drinks 🥤4-H Alpena for chips ❤️ and Robert Barrigar Agency / Farm Bureau Insurance for prizes 🏆

Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy this FREE local event for our community 🥰