By Jordan Green
BAY CITY – If driving by Wenonah Park and seeing the dismembered bandshell has you in fear that the time of summer concerts and movies has become obsolete, push aside the worry because the bandshell should be up and running in time for this year’s concerts and movies.
The current bandshell is being updated as part of the Wenonah Park master plan, costing approximately $4 million. The updates include the bandshell, pavilion and concession stand.
Bay City’s Downtown Management Board and Downtown Development Authority executive director, Suzanne Maxwell, says the park has seen an uptick in the number of events hosted, along with the number of attendees.
“I think people will be excited to see nice, fresh new designs,” adds Maxwell. “I think it will be a better quality sound and will provide better shelter for the entertainers and just a more updated look.”
The original bandshell went up in 1979 and was an estimated $295,000 to build. The new reconstruction of the bandshell will be approximately $1.3 million according to Mike Bacigalupo, chief operating director at the Bay City State Theatre and leader of the Wenonah Park master plan.
Bacigalupo says the $1.3 million is not tax money and was raised by 12 different foundations who donated to the project. The new bandshell will consist of large white rounded arches as the roof, compared to the previous flat roof. Bacigalupo says the roof and sides will be the most noticeable change, with a more protective roof and white walls that will provide a more acoustic sound.
The bandshell has been experiencing a leaking roof and some mechanical issues.
“The new design will be more of a Hollywood bowl design; so different than the old one,” says Bacigalupo.
The bandshell is expected to be completed for the free summer concert series and the summer movie series.
Summer Concerts
- June 12 – The Bay Concert Band
- June 19 – “23 North Band – Blues – Funk – Jazz”
- June 26 – “Big Little Town (Little Big Town Tribute)”
- July 10 – “AEROFORCE (Aerosmith Tribute)”
- July 24 – “Bruce in the USA (Bruce Springsteen Tribute)”
- July 31 – “A John Denver Tribute with Ted Vigil”
- August 7 – “Hotel California (Eagles Tribute)”
- August 14 – “Parrots of the Caribbean (Jimmy Buffet Tribute)”
- August 21 – “The Midland Symphony Orchestra”
- August 28 – “The Magic Bus Live and in Concert”
- September 4 – “The Highwaymen Live (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings Tribute)”
Summer Movies
- June 18 – “Grease”
- June 25 – “The Cat in the Hat”
- July 9 – “Angels in the Outfield”
- July 23 – “Toy Story”
- July 30 – “Toy Story 2”
- August 6 – “Shrek”
- August 13 – “Shrek 2”
- August 20 – “School of Rock”
