Bay-Rama – What were all about……
Bay-Rama was formed in 1964 as an all-volunteer organization to bring the community together for a fun filled event that in turn would support the community. Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival has been an important part of the Anchor Bay community ever since. Bay Rama is still run by all volunteers, who donate their time and labor to help put on the Fishfly Festival and other community events. These volunteers spend months planning and coordinating to bring this fun family festival and all the spectacular events within it, to the community of New Baltimore each year. A major part of the funding for this festival is earned through the sponsorship program, which was established back in the early 90’s by Larry Gingas. There are NO tax dollars being spent to put on the festival, fireworks, kid day programs, cardboard boat race, pageant, or parade. These are ALL funded by Bay-Rama and our wonderful sponsors.
The money that is earned each year from the festival is used to better the community. To date we have provided over $1,550,000 to our city and its residents. Bay-Rama has awarded over $72,000 in scholarship money to ABHS graduates since its beginning. Bay-Rama is involved with several areas of the community, New Baltimore Recreation Center, MacDonald Public Library, New Baltimore Lions, New Baltimore Goodfellows, New Baltimore Fire and Police Departments, and the New Baltimore Historical Society. We have supported the ABHS Marching Band, Senior All Night Party, and the All Sports Club, just to name a few.
We, as a volunteer organization, are committed to help better the community. To date, our largest gift was given to the City in 1999, when 227 feet of lakefront property, with a value of $550,000 at the time, was added to the existing downtown city park. This property now holds the beach and two children play scapes for the community to enjoy. Other contributions to this park have included restrooms, picnic tables, a boat dock and the steel seawall. Three years ago we donated two full size soccer fields and a 100 car parking lot, and also established a 1 mile walking trail around the entire park. This spring we donated the remaining 23 acres of Festival Park to the City of New Baltimore. This was necessary to comply with a grant application which would allow us to gain the necessary funds to complete 4 ball diamonds at Festival Park. Bay-Rama is still actively working towards the completion of this property and will continue to work to complete four baseball diamonds, a playscape, picnic area, tennis courts, and recreation building. The approximate value of the property and the improvements to date is $850,000.
Our festival is an ever changing one. In 2009 we were able to unveil the barge’s that now house the fireworks show for the festival. By moving the fireworks out onto the bay, we were able to free up more space for everyone to view the show. This year our fireworks are on Thursday night, and they are being sponsored by E&A Federal Credit Union. We now have a sponsor’s viewing area under the pavilion on the waterfront as a way to say “Thank You” for the generosity of our sponsors. We have continually improved the Kid’s Day activities over the years, which now include free games and prizes, a bike raffle, a petting zoo and displays from the local New Baltimore Police, Michigan DNR, Macomb County Sheriff’s Dept. and Warren Police Dept., as well as music entertainment by DJ “Top Dog”. We have continued to offer free contest each day for the young and young at heart to participate in, such as the pizza eating, watermelon eating, chicken chucken, etc. We provide entertainment nightly under the festival tent, which we are bringing two headline bands to you this year on Friday and Saturday night.
As we’ve said, we are an all volunteer organization, and would love to have you volunteer. There is no fee to join, just fun to be had!! We meet on the third Wednesday of each month, except June, July and December. Our meetings are held at the VFW Hall on 23 mile, across from Kroger’s in the rear of the building at “The Cove”. We are always looking for new ideas and people to help with them. So come join the fun, and be part of something that makes a difference in your community!
