MyMichigan plans first-ever PickleFest tournament in Alpena, August 22-23

MyMichigan Health Foundation will stage its first-ever PickleFest in Alpena on Aug. 22-23, splitting the tournament between Bay View Park and McRae Park. The two-day event gives local players a concrete late-summer doubles target and adds another outdoor tournament stop to northern Michigan’s calendar.

PickleFest is built around doubles play, with men’s, women’s and mixed divisions listed across multiple skill levels. That format should make the event a fit for a wide range of amateurs, from regular tournament pairs looking for bracket matches to recreational players who want one more competitive weekend before fall schedules take over. Women’s doubles and mixed doubles were the first draws identified for the Alpena stop, and the expanded division list shows the field will be broader than that initial note suggested.

The venue setup matters too. By using both Bay View Park and McRae Park, MyMichigan is spreading play across public park space rather than anchoring the tournament at a single private facility. For players, that can mean more court availability and a tournament atmosphere that feels woven into the city rather than tucked away from it. For Alpena, it turns a weekend of pickleball into something visible in two familiar community spaces.

MyMichigan says participants must complete online pre-registration before taking part. The health system is promoting the tournament through its foundation, underscoring that PickleFest is being positioned as more than a bracket draw. It is a first-time event with a defined home, a clear entry process and enough divisions to attract pairs who want meaningful match play without traveling to a larger metro area.

The timing should work well for local amateurs still chasing one more event before the season shifts. Late August often sits between peak summer recreation and the start of fall routines, and an Aug. 22-23 tournament gives players a final shot at doubles reps, partner chemistry and pressure points on outdoor courts. With Bay View Park and McRae Park on the schedule, Alpena now has a set destination for that push.