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Top O' Michigan has two family-friendly fundraisers coming up in Alpena this summer, and both are free to attend. The Thunder Bay Car Show and Movie in the Park runs Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Starlite Beach, benefiting Feeding Kids Ministry. Paws for WeCare, a community dog walk for local animal shelters, follows on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Alpena Dog Park. You can find both, plus everything else we're part of, on our new Events page.
What events is Top O' Michigan part of this summer?
We built the Events page so there's one spot to see where we'll be. For a long time, the easiest way to hear about a car show or a fundraiser we were sponsoring was to already know somebody at the office. That's not much help if you're new to the area or just looking for something to do this weekend. Now the events live in one place, they stay current, and you can add them to your own calendar.
Two events are on the calendar right now, both centered in Alpena and both raising money for causes close to home.
At a glance:
- Thunder Bay Car Show & Movie in the Park — Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Starlite Beach in Alpena. Benefits Feeding Kids Ministry. Free to attend.
- Paws for WeCare dog walk — Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Alpena Dog Park. Benefits local animal shelters and WeCare. Free to attend.
What is the Thunder Bay Car Show and Movie in the Park?
The Thunder Bay Car Show and Movie in the Park is a free, family-friendly event at Starlite Beach in Alpena on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Spend the afternoon walking the rows of classic and custom cars, then stay for a movie outdoors once the sun goes down. Bring lawn chairs and a blanket.
The show raises money for Feeding Kids Ministry, which helps make sure local kids have enough to eat. If you'd like to register a car or learn more about the day, you can do that at thunderbaycarshow.com. It's one of the friendlier Alpena events on the summer calendar — good for grandparents, good for kids, and good for anyone who likes to look at a nicely kept muscle car.
What is Paws for WeCare?
Paws for WeCare is a community dog walk at the Alpena Dog Park on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon. Bring your dog, take a walk with other Alpena families, and know that the money raised goes somewhere good: proceeds are split between local animal shelters and our WeCare program.
There's room to help beyond just showing up. Local businesses can sponsor the walk, donate a raffle item, or set up a vendor booth, and one hundred percent of vendor and raffle proceeds go to the shelters. If your business wants to get involved, or you have a question about the day, reach the team at Marketing@TheSpireTeam.com or (989) 356-6133. Sponsor logos need to be in by August 31 to make the printed materials.
Why does a 52-year-old insurance agency host community events?
Because we live here too. Top O' Michigan is a third-generation, locally owned agency, and February 2026 marked 52 years since we opened our doors in 1974. Over that time we've grown to six Northern Michigan communities — Alpena, Hillman, Gaylord, Petoskey, Traverse City, and Iron River — and the people in our offices are the same people you see at the grocery store, the ballfield, and the county fair.
Showing up for a car show or a dog walk isn't a marketing exercise for us. It's what a neighbor does. The families and business owners we insure are the same ones raising money for the food ministry and the animal shelter, so being part of these days is just staying connected to the place we come from. That's what we mean by national resources, locally sourced: modern tools and a broad carrier panel behind us, and a real local team out front.
Where can I find upcoming Top O' Michigan events?
All of our upcoming events live on the Top O' Michigan Events page. We keep it current as new events are added, so it's the best place to check before a weekend. If your organization is hosting something in Alpena or anywhere in Northern Michigan and you think we'd be a good fit to sponsor or take part, tell us about it at Marketing@TheSpireTeam.com.
Frequently asked questions
What family-friendly events are happening in Alpena this summer? Top O' Michigan is part of two free, family-friendly Alpena events: the Thunder Bay Car Show and Movie in the Park at Starlite Beach on August 8, 2026, and the Paws for WeCare dog walk at the Alpena Dog Park on September 19, 2026. Both are free to attend and both raise money for local causes.
Is the Thunder Bay Car Show free? Yes. The Thunder Bay Car Show and Movie in the Park is free to attend. It raises money for Feeding Kids Ministry. If you want to register a car, you can find the details at thunderbaycarshow.com.
What does Paws for WeCare raise money for? Proceeds from the Paws for WeCare dog walk are split between local animal shelters and Top O' Michigan's WeCare program. Vendor and raffle proceeds go entirely to the shelters.
How can my business sponsor a Top O' Michigan event? For the Paws for WeCare walk, businesses can sponsor, donate a raffle item, or reserve a vendor booth. Reach the team at Marketing@TheSpireTeam.com or (989) 356-6133. Sponsor logos are due by August 31 to appear on printed materials.
Where can I see all of Top O' Michigan's upcoming events? Everything we're hosting or sponsoring is listed on our Events page at tomia247.com/events, and it's kept up to date as new events are added.
Come say hello
If you make it out to the car show or the dog walk, find one of us and say hello. We'd love to meet you. To learn more about the agency or talk with a local Alpena agent, call our Alpena office at (989) 356-6133 or the shared Top O' Michigan line at 800-686-8664. And to see what's coming up next, visit the Events page.