Experience local charm when summer brings festivals and more to Bay County

There may still be a chill in the air but soon enough warm days will prevail, and that means local activities will dominate the summer calendar.

Plenty of events are slated for Downtown and West Side Bay City, which will give locals and visitors a wealth of opportunities to explore, including the return of BaySail operating the Appledore IV this summer.

“Last year the ship stayed docked and wrapped up," says Kellie Rupp, Bay City Downtown Management Board Marketing Director. “This year they have a new captain, crew, and engine. They also have a whole new website and are taking bookings now.”
 
Visit the BaySail online for more information about the Appledore, including public sails, charter trips, and educational programming.

The tall ship Appledore isn't your only option for cruising on the river in the summer. Check out the schedule for Bay City Boat Lines' Princess Wenonah. Special events, public charters, daytime and evening cruises all are on the popular vessel's summer calendar.

Rupp says there are so many reasons to love summer in Bay City.

“Whether you're jamming on Wednesdays in the Park, strolling through the Riverside Art Festival, or catching fireworks over the river there’s no better time to enjoy our downtown,” says Rupp.

Rupp is looking forward to getting past the cold, dreary days of winter and spring. “We’re almost there.”  Learn more about Bay City’s downtown online.

Ashley BrownThe Bay City State Park recently completed renovations including upgrades to the campground, play area, and visitor center.To enjoy summer sunshine in a more natural environment, plan a trip to the Bay City State Park, 3582 State Park Drive in Bangor Township.

Not only does the park boast a sandy swim beach of about 1,200 feet on the shores of the Saginaw Bay, there are hiking trails with cattail marshlands, and a newly-renovated historic nature center with an auditorium and exhibit area.

The park even boasts a Spray Park, Play by the Bay accessible park, and a track chair and ramp to let wheelchair users get near the water.

If you need more than an afternoon to explore the park, you’re in luck. There’s a campground just a short walk from the beach.

The park is also a home to Tobico Marsh, one of the largest coastal wetlands on the Great Lakes, and a place to view birds and wildlife.

The Wetland Wonders Gift Shop inside the Bay City State Park Visitors Center has been revamped and has many items for the outdoor enthusiast including T-shirts, rings, plush animals, arrowheads, walking sticks and binoculars.

Learn more about the park in this Sept. 5 Route Bay City article.

If you’re looking for an event, you’re also in luck. Here is a list of just some of this summer’s special events:

Auburn Walk in The Park, May 31

Admission is free to Auburn’s Walk in the Park – held at the Auburn Park at 200 Jaycee Drive. The Sat., May 31 event brings art and crafts, food trucks, music with Frank-N-Jude, a kids table, and family fun to the park between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The highlight of the day is a dog parade at noon.

For more information, go to www.auburnfm.com

The Jefferson Project in Bay City Farmers Marketplace, June 3-Oct. 21

The Jefferson Project, 409 First St., plans to host a Farmer Marketplace beginning Tues., June 3 for 21 weeks from 2 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. The outdoor market takes place on Jefferson Street between Woodside Avenue and First Street. Fresh produce, artisans, and food trucks all are expected.

Vendors of all types are encouraged to submit an interest form. Once open, vendors will be scheduled on a weekly basis. For more information on becoming a vendor, visit the Jefferson Project website.
Ashley BrownThe annual BEach WELLness race follows trails inside the Bay City State Park.
BEach WELLness Run/Walk, June 7

A BEach WELLness run/walk fundraiser held by the Friends of the State Park will take place at 9 a.m. on Sat., June 7 at the Bay City State Park

All runs and walks will take place on park trails. There is a $20 fee for those 13 years and older participating in the 10k run, 5k run, 5k walk or 5k walk with your pets. Parking is free. To register, go to ITSYOURRACE.com

All sales help fund projects and programs at the State Park.
Graphic courtesy of Downtown Bay City
Wednesdays in the Park 2025, June 11-Aug. 20

Rupp says the Wednesdays in the Park is a free summer concert series in Bay City’s Wenonah Park and an event she is eagerly anticipating. “We have received so much positive feedback already about the lineup.”
 

• Wed., June 11: Bay Concert Band
• Wed., June 18: Eagles Tribute (Epic Eagles)
• Wed., June 25: Country Music Tribute (The Family Tradition Band)
• Wed., July 9: Queen Tribute (Simply Queen)
• Wed., July 16: Journey & Rock Tribute (The RockShow)
• Wed., July 23: Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute (Mystic Highway)
• Wed., July 30: Taylor Swift Tribute (Taylor's Story)
• Wed., Aug. 6: Beach Boys Tribute (Sounds of Summer)
• Wed., Aug. 13: Legends of Classic Country (sponsored by Brian's House Community Group)
• Wed., Aug. 20: Jimmy Buffett Tribute (Air Margaritaville)

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and listen to some music in the park. Concessions are available at the pavilion and coolers are welcome. Pre-show starts at 6:30 p.m. with the main act going on at 7 p.m.

The Riverside Art Festival, June 14-15

The YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region Riverside Art Festival returns for its 51st year, drawing thousands of people from around the Great Lakes Bay Region to enjoy artistry, light entertainment, and food vendors in the streets of Downtown Bay City.

About 100 artists and vendors from all over the state will set up on along the Saginaw Riverfront on Water Street between Fifth and Sixth streets. The festival is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., June 14 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun., June 15.

YWCA Executive Director Moira Branigan says the event will have a “great artsy vibe. There will be quite an assortment of handmade products and artwork, some food vendors like kettle corn and lemonade. There’s everything from handmade surfboards to beautiful copper sprinklers for the garden and homemade soaps, clothing and jewelry. There’s something for everybody.”

Branigan says details for the event are being finalized and emphasized parking specifics:
 

• Be mindful of where you park. “Set up for the event will begin Friday, so people should avoid the area of Washington between Fifth and Sixth streets,” Branigan says. During the event, people can park anywhere throughout downtown and only have a short walk to the vendors. Spots often are available at the Pere Marquette Depot,1000 Adams St., or in a lot on Saginaw Street between Fourth and Fifth streets. The lot is behind the United Way of Bay County, 909 Washington Ave.
• Event parking is not allowed at the Delta College Planetarium or the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel.

The Auburn Farmers Market brings fresh produce, homemade treats, and events to a pavilion inside Auburn Park every summer. The 2025 market season begins in June.
The Auburn Farmers Market opens June 19

Expanded hours, moonlight markets, and a new pavilion all make 2025 season of the Auburn Farmers Market special. The market, located inside Auburn Park at 200 Jaycee Drive, season opens Thurs., June 19 and runs through the fall

The park has a new pavilion this year for the market. Organizers also are trying out an alternating schedule between the regular Farmers Market and Moonlight Markets in order to accommodate customers’ work schedules.

The Farmers Market will run alternating Thursdays from 2-6 p.m. beginning June 19. The Friday Moonlight Markets will run from alternating Fridays beginning June 27.  Moonlight Markets will run from 4-8 p.m. and include a musical guest and food trucks.

Throughout the summer, there will be mini events such as car shows, a bike parade and more will take place to provide more fun for families.

Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival, June 28

Big changes are coming to the Great Lakes Bay Pride Festival. For years, the regional festival was held in Bay City. This year, it will move to Jolt Event Park in Downtown Saginaw.

What hasn’t changed is the festival’s purpose. It remains a welcoming and inclusive festival that brings together the LGBTQ+ community, allies, friends, and families from across the Great Lakes Bay Region and surrounding areas.

Attendees can enjoy a variety of retail vendors, community resource partners, live entertainment, a health screening area, and a children’s activity area.

The new location offers increased safety and security for visitors. More information about the festival is available online

The festival is just one of the events during Pride Month. Other events will be held throughout the region. The full calendar is online.

The Bay City Fireworks Festival, July 3-5

If you looked closely at the Wednesdays in the Park calendar above, you’ll notice there’s no concert on Wed., July 2. But don’t worry about a quiet week. The Bay City Fireworks Festival has several different bands scheduled to play during its three-night festival, which kicks off on Thurs., July 3.

Throughout the festival, you’ll find a fair, carnival rides, and Trader’s Alley in Veterans Park on the West Side. Of course, there are fireworks beginning at about 10:12 p.m. each night.

The concerts take place in Wenonah Park on the East Side. Concert tickets range from $10 to $60 and are available online.

The concert schedule includes:
 

• Thurs., July 3: Josey Scott (original voice of Saliva), Sponge and Redburn
• Fri., July 4: Wrecking Crue (the Motley Crue Experience), Paradise City (Guns N’ Roses Tribute), and Night Shift
• Sat., July 5: Jerkwater Town Boys and Infamous QuickThe River

 Graphic courtesy of Cool City Car Show
Cool City Car Show, July 11-13

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the iconic car event, which will take place Fri., July 11 through Sun., July 13 on Bay City’s West Side in the Historic Midland Street District.

Proceeds will go to benefit the American Cancer Society. More than $400,000 has been raised since the event’s inception.

Event organizer Greg Kimbrue says this year’s three-day event has some “extra special aspects,” including a new route that means avoiding traffic and construction congestion, which will make for “a parade effect.”

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s going to be better than ever,” says Kimbrue. “There’s something for everyone, including a chance to have a mimosa, listen to music and keep car culture alive and have family fun.”

To participate or more information, go to www.coolcitycarshow.com

Downtown Bay City Sidewalk Days, July 24-26

Celebrate summer and deals during the Downtown Bay City Sidewalk Days Sales from Thurs., July 24 through Sat., July 26. Merchants throughout the downtown region will offer special sales and events.

Labadie Rib Fest, July 24-27

Whether you love barbecue ribs or music, you want to put the 2025 Labadie Rib Fest on your calendar.

Once again this year, barbecue experts from around the country will gather in Veterans Memorial Park on Bay City’s West Side as they compete for top honors. The festival includes market vendors, a bubble dance party, celebrity rib challenge, and more.

After a day of dining on ribs, you can dance the calories away with live music.

The concert line-up includes:

• Thurs., July 24: Jump (America’s Van Halen Experience) with Moving in Stereo: A Tribute to Cars
• Fri., July 25: Sebastian Bach, the original voice of Skid Row, with an 80s hair metal band to be announced later.
• Sat., July 26: Blue Oyster Cult with a special guest to be announced later.
• Sun., July 27: Trace Adkins with special guest Family Tradition.

For the full schedule and tickets, visit the Labadie Rib Fest website.
Photo courtesy of the Chalk Walk Art FestivalLillian Graves took 1st place in the Youth Division with a classic fruit bowl at the 2019 festival.
Chalk Walk Art Festival, Aug. 2

The streets of Downtown Bay City become the canvas during Studio 23/The Arts Center’s annual Chalk Walk Art Festival on Sat., Aug. 2. The festival is centered near Studio 23, 901 N. Water St.

While the chalk artists are at work, visitors are invited to walk through the downtown area enjoying live music, kids activities, food vendors, and more. Spectators also are invited to vote for their favorite works.