Bay-Rama – What we’re all about… 2011
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. Stuart MacDonald, Ted Brousseau & Lloyd Reck were the masterminds. The 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 this fun family festival and all the spectacular events. A major part of the funding for this festival is earned through the sponsorship program that 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’s day programs, cardboard boat race, Queen’s pageant, or parade. Bay-Rama and our wonderful sponsors fund all these.
The money that is earned each year from the festival is used to better the community. To date we have provided over $1,200,000 to our city and its residents. Bay-Rama has awarded over $64,000 in scholarship money to ABHS graduates since its beginning. Bay-Rama is involved with several areas in the community, New Baltimore Recreation Center, furniture for the 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’s playscapes. Other contributions to this park have included restrooms, picnic tables, a boat dock and the steel seawall. In 2009 we donated two full size soccer fields and a 100-car parking lot at Festival Park. We have also established a one-mile walking trail around the entire park. These improvements and the value of the land donation are estimated at $350,000.
Our festival is an ever-changing one. In 2009 we were able to unveil the barges 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 fantastic show. This year our spectacular Firework’s Display on Thursday night is being presented courtesy of Fifth Third Bank. They are also sponsoring Kid’s Day on Sat. Meijer is returning again this year as the sponsor of the Grand Bay-Rama Parade on Sun. and favorite Rosco The Clown. We have created a sponsor’s viewing area at the waterfront pavilion as a way of saying “Thank You” for the generosity of our sponsors. We have continually improved the Kid’s Day activities over the years, which now includes free games and prizes, a free bike raffle, temporary tattoos, a petting zoo and displays from the local Sheriff’s Department. We continue to offer free contests each day for the young and young at heart. Pizza eating, watermelon eating, chicken’ chucken, pie eating etc. We provide entertainment and refreshments nightly in the festival tent. We are featuring two headline bands again 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 in the rear of the building at “The Cove”. We welcome you to come check us out and see if we would be a good fit for you. 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 big difference in your community!
