Discover something great in Downtown Bay City
FRIDAY, August 8th
8/8 - Movie of the Day | Bay County Historical Society | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Robert & Ann Hachtel Theater at the Museum will present Rock & Roll Matinee: Chapter 3 – Rocking Around the Clock, a video exploring the legacy of Alan Freed and Bill Haley, two pioneers in the rise of rock and roll. The documentary highlights how Bill Haley blended hillbilly music and rhythm & blues into the early rockabilly sound, with his hit “Rock Around the Clock” becoming the first rock and roll song to top the national charts and appear in a Hollywood film. The video will play continuously throughout the day; general admission is $2 per person or $5 per family (ages 0–5 free), and Bay County residents and BCHS members receive free entry.
8/8 - Dinosaurs: A Story of Survival | Delta College Planetarium | 12:30 PM
An exciting journey through time to discover the incredible variety of dinosaurs that ruled our planet's past. Celeste, a young girl fascinated by dinosaurs, travels with her wise and magical friend Moon on an amazing adventure and learns that not all dinosaurs went extinct. Appropriate for all ages. Purchase tickets here!
8/8 - Saginaw River Guided Tour | Princess Wenonah | 1:00 PM
Offered Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00–3:00 PM, this two-hour cruise along the Saginaw River features live narration highlighting local history, landmarks like the lighthouse, and area wildlife. Designed for families, friends, and groups, the tour balances light commentary with time to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Pricing:
Adults $28 | Seniors $25 | Children $15
Light snacks, soft drinks, and adult beverages available onboard from the Wake View Bar (cash or card accepted). Get tickets here!
8/8 - Mysteries of the Great Lakes | Delta College Planetarium | 2:00 PM
Called "inland seas" by early explorers, the Great Lakes hold a fifth of Earth’s fresh water and showcase stunning wilderness. A drop of water takes nearly 400 years to flow from Lake Superior to Lake Ontario, passing cliffs with ancient pictographs, wildlife like caribou and moose, giant sturgeon, shipwrecks, and 40 million people along 10,000 miles of coastline. Purchase tickets here!
8/8 - Young Free Art Friday: Pop Art Pizza | Studio 23 | 2:00 PM
Join artist Allise Noble in creating a fun and tasty (looking) pizza themed art. Attendees will learn how to create their own custom pizza step-by-step. All supplies included. Please dress for mess. Register here!
8/8 - Cosmic Dreamscapes | Delta College Planetarium | 3:30 PM
Shift your perspective and relax a while in the dark cozy comfort of the our Dome360 Theater and be treated to beautiful music with breathtaking views of space, mind-provoking immersive art, and panoramic environments. You'll return to your world renewed and refreshed! All are welcome, but this program may not be suitable for young children. Purchase tickets here!
8/8 - Jefferson Street Live! | The Jefferson Project | 5:00 - 9:00 PM
Jefferson Street Live returns on Friday, August 8 from 5–8 PM for a free, family-friendly evening filled with live music, food trucks, local art, and community connection in the heart of Downtown Bay City. Guests can enjoy performances from local musicians, shop the Artists & Makers Market, and grab a bite or drink—proceeds from the beer and wine tent benefit The Jefferson Project. Sponsored by Jolt Credit Union and hosted by The Jefferson Street Market and The Jefferson Project, the event celebrates neighborhood culture while supporting small businesses and creatives.
8/8 - Friday at the Falls | Third Street Waterfall Park | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Enjoy live music at the 3rd Street Waterfall Park every Friday of July & August!
Bring a chair, bring a friend and head out to the Waterfall Park. FREE to attend, but tips are welcome for performers. This week featuring Sarah Schingeck!
8/8 - Rock the Boat w/ the Music Doctors | Princess Wenonah | 7:00 PM
The Music Doctors will bring high-energy entertainment aboard the Princess Wenonah for a three-hour cruise on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM (boarding begins at 6:30 PM). Guests will enjoy dinner catered by Krzysiak House Restaurant, soft drinks, a live performance, and access to a cash bar while cruising the river. Tickets are $74 per person, ages 21 and up, and must be reserved in advance.
8/8 - Matt & Josh | DryDock Beer Garden | 7:00 - 10:00 PM
Enjoy the musical stlings of Matt & Josh at DryDock on a Friday evening!
8/8 - Harry Potter Potions Night | Old City Hall | 8:00 - 10:00 PM
The Friction Theatre returns with a brand-new installment of its original interactive parody musical, set in Professor Snape’s potions classroom and filled with raunchy humor, chaotic spells, and over-the-top magical mayhem.
Designed for adult audiences, this R-rated production features all-new music, characters, and a mysterious singing spell threatening the castle—along with themed cocktails available throughout the evening.
General admission is $25, while VIP tickets include reserved seating, a complimentary drink, and a higher chance of joining in on the potion-making fun. Get tickets here!
SATURDAY, August 9th
8/9 - FREE Zumba in the Park | Wenonah Park | 9:00 AM
Wenonah Park transforms into a dance floor with a free Zumba® class held under the sycamore trees, offering a lively blend of fitness and fun with a view of the river. The interval-style workout combines low- and high-intensity dance moves set to Latin-inspired and global rhythms, creating an energizing experience suitable for all fitness levels. Participants are encouraged to bring a water bottle, comfortable shoes, and a towel as they follow the music and enjoy the movement.
8/9 - Ferne Turns 10! | Ferne Boutique | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Ferne Boutique is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a special event on August 9, offering 10% off purchases, a free gift with purchase, and a chance to win free clothes for a year. Any purchase made in-store or online that day will automatically enter customers into the giveaway, with one winner receiving a $150 monthly store credit for one year. To qualify, participants must be enrolled in the Ferne rewards program with a valid email address; the giveaway is valid from August 9, 2025, to August 9, 2026, and is exclusive to Ferne Boutique.
8/9 - Excellency Music Festival 2025 | Masonic Temple | Doors 11:00 AM
LINEUP
Arm's Length (CAN)
Ben Quad (OK)
Pet Symmetry (IL)
Michael Cera Palin (GA)
Riley! (TX)
Cliffdiver (OK)
Worst Party Ever (JPN)
Oolong (NY)
Jetty Bones (OH)
Arcadia Grey (IL)
Savings (NM)
Stars Hollow (IA)
Aren't We Amphibians (CA)
Bouquet (IA)
pulses. (VA)
Good Sleepy (MA)
Robo Pumpkin (MA)
Forest Green (MI)
The Casper Fight Scene (MI)
Mud Whale (OH)
Car Crash Rhetoric (MI)
Vera Noir (MI)
no problemo! (MI)
Tequila Mockingbird (MI)
Antighost (MI)
Former Critics (MI)
Hemmingway Lane (MI)
Mt. Oriander (MI)
Dad Caps (MI)
Red Ice (MI)
DATE
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Doors at 11:00 AM
VENUE
Historic Masonic Temple
700 N Madison Ave
Bay City, MI 48708
Get tickets for Excellency Fest here!
8/9 - Open Saturdays! | The Historical Museum of Bay County | 12:00 - 4:00 PM
The Museum is open! This is great time to explore the galleries, check out the new Jerry Lynch exhibit, watch a Michigan Rock and Roll Legend documentary in the theater, let your preschoolers play in the PBS Reading Room, and shop in the gift shop.
Admission: $2/person or $5/Family
Bay County Residents & BCHS Members: FREE
8/9 - Saginaw River Guided Tour | Princess Wenonah | 1:00 PM
Offered Fridays and Saturdays from 1:00–3:00 PM, this two-hour cruise along the Saginaw River features live narration highlighting local history, landmarks like the lighthouse, and area wildlife. Designed for families, friends, and groups, the tour balances light commentary with time to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Pricing:
Adults $28 | Seniors $25 | Children $15
Light snacks, soft drinks, and adult beverages available onboard from the Wake View Bar (cash or card accepted). Get tickets here!
8/9 - The Great Solar System | Delta College Planetarium | 2:00 PM
Join showman extraordinaire “The Great Schiaparelli” as he takes the audience on a death-defying space-time adventure within his wondrous Observatorium. From the Sun-scorched surface of Mercury to the icy expanses of Pluto and beyond, prepare to be subjected to the myriad dangers and wonders of our solar system, on a breathtaking tour that reveals just how precious our home planet really is. Purchase tickets here!
8/9 - Bay City Bass Fishing Show | Wenonah Park | 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Thrilled to welcome back the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour to Bay City, August 7th - 10th! Come watch the pros in action and celebrate at the Watch Party & Trophy Ceremony, happening August 9th & 10th from 3:00 – 6:00 PM in Wenonah Park!
8/9 - Aurora: Lights of Wonder | Delta College Planetarium | 3:30 PM
Aurora: Lights of Wonder invites viewers to experience the aurora through the world’s first 4K x 4K real-time immersive video. Combining animations and CGI, the show explores auroral myths, the science behind the northern and southern lights, how they form, their colors and shapes, where to see them, and auroras on other planets. Purchase tickets here!
8/9 - Dixon's Violin | State Theatre | 7:00 PM
You've never heard violin like this! Inspiring audiences across North America, from Burning Man and Electric Forest to TED talks. Tickets are $29 in advance, $35 at the door if still available.
8/9 - Carefree Cruisin' w/ Acoustic Cocktail | Princess Wenonah | 7:00 PM
Saturday, July 26, 2025 | 6:30–9:30 PM
Departs Wenonah Park Dock, rain or shine
$65 per person | Group rates for 20+ | Ages 21+ (or with parent/guardian)
Relax on a three-hour Saginaw River cruise with dinner, live music by Acoustic Cocktail, and a cash bar. Perfect for date night or groups.
Advance reservations required.
SUNDAY, August 10th
8/10 - FREE Functional Fitness | Wenonah Park | 10:00 AM
Enjoy a refreshing outdoor Functional Fitness class designed for all ages and fitness levels, focused on movements that build strength, balance, and everyday energy. Held beneath the three sycamore trees in Wenonah Park near the DoubleTree parking lot, this free class offers a welcoming environment for everyone—from beginners to seasoned athletes. Participants are encouraged to bring a mat or towel and water.
8/10 - Bay City Bass Fishing Show | Wenonah Park | 3:00 - 6:00 PM
Thrilled to welcome back the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour to Bay City, August 7th - 10th! Come watch the pros in action and celebrate at the Watch Party & Trophy Ceremony, happening August 9th & 10th from 3:00 – 6:00 PM in Wenonah Park!
8/10 - Sunday Night Blues | Jake's Corner Lounge | 3:30 - 6:30 PM
Every Sunday through Labor Day enjoy drinks, dancing and live music with Blues Mobile at Jake's!
8/10 - In Cahoots at Jake's | Jake's Corner Lounge | 7:30 - 10:45 PM
In Cahoots invites everyone to join the fun on Sunday, July 20th, at Jake’s Corner Lounge! Guests can dance the night away on Third Street with line dancing under the lights from 7:30 to 10:45 p.m. All are welcome, from seasoned dancers to beginners, with lessons available upon request.