July Arts & Entertainment Roundup

Festivals, concerts, outdoor movies, will keep Bay City hopping this July. Here’s a round-up of what’s happening in the area in the next month: 

Bay City Fireworks Festival

For generations, families and friends have gathered near the Saginaw River to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks shows. This year is no exception. The 2023 Bay City Fireworks Festival runs June 29-July 1.

Short, 10-minute fireworks shows explode into the sky at about 10:12 p.m. on July 29 and June 30. The main show lasts closer to an hour on July 1. 

Throughout the day, the festival includes a carnival, pageant, Trader’s Alley, and musical entertainment. 

The musical acts performing include:

    •    The Jameson Brothers at 5:30 p.m. and the Josh Ramses Band at 8 p.m. July 29
    •    Infamous Quick at 7 p.m. and FireHouse at 8 p.m. July 30.
    •    Jon Felt Quartet at 7 p.m. July 1. 

Read more about the musical acts in this March 8, 2023 Route Bay City article.

Admission is $2 per person to Veterans Park. Admission to Wenonah Park is $5 per person on July 1.

Rockin’ The River

Rockin the River brings conderts to Wenonah Park four times in July.

The first concert is Gabby Barrett and Ashley McBridge at 7 p.m. July 7. On July 8, the Rockin the River festival continues with Styx. The show starts at 7 p.m. 

The festival continues July 21 with .38 Special and Adaboy and July 22 with Here Come The Mummies.

Rockin’ The River details and ticket sales are available on The State Theatre website.

Cool City Car Show & Cruz

The annual Cool City Car Show & Cruz rolls into Downtown Bay City July 7-8. The show and cruise is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It’s raised more than $300,000 since its inception.

Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational

From July 17 to 22, professional golfers take over the Midland Country Club for the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

The Dow GLBI is an annual LPGA tournament, which includes a week-long series of events including golf, charitable contributions, and partnerships with area businesses.

Labadie Rib Fest

From July 27-30, the smell of barbecue will fill Bay City. The Labadie Rib Fest takes place in Veterans Memorial Park. A rib cook-off, music, and kids events all are part of the festival. 

Admission to the festival is $10 per day  or $30 for a weekend pass. Concert tickets are an additional fee.

The concert lineup includes The Little River Band on July 27; Rodney Atkins on July 28; Lita Ford and Dokken on July 29; and Molly Hatchet and Foghat on July 30. 

The National Professional Fishing League Tournament

The National Professional Fishing League brings its bass fishing tournament to this area on July 16-22. (From Aug. 1-6, Major League Fishing invites the top 80 anglers in the world to participate in a tournament in Bay County.) Read more about the tournaments in this Feb. 9, 2023 Route Bay City article.

Studio 23 Bay City

The current exhibit is Mythoscape by JP. Aleksander.

The annual Painters & Potters Exhibit opens July 20 and ends in September. It features the artwork created by students and instructors.

Bay City Players

At the Bay City Players, you can catch the musical Newsies on July 21-23 and 27-30. Tickets and more information are available on the Players website.

Youth Entrepreneurship Expo

With an eye toward fostering innovative business ideas among Great Lakes Bay Region youths, the Youth Entrepreneurship Expo is coming to Downtown Bay City.  Hosted by Kids Rule Now! Inc., the event takes place in Wenonah Park, 111 Center Ave., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 29. Read more in this June 1, 2023 Route Bay City article.

Don’t forget Wednesdays in the Park, Thursdays at Uptown, Fridays at the Falls, Tuesday night Movies in the Park, and Wednesday Young Peoples Summer Series. For more details about these events, check out this May 4, 2023 Route Bay City article.