Excitement splashes into Bay City this weekend
Anyone looking for world- class power boat racing need and 1980s rock music can look no further than Bay City this weekend.
The 22nd annual Dow Bay City River Roar is taking place in the heart of the city on the Saginaw River Friday through Sunday, and will include thousands with F1 ChampBoat racing and music.
"We're hoping for about 100,000 people. We are going on our 22nd year; the first two years were for profit," said Dow Bay City River Roar Committee President Elaine Ricoh.
All race ticket profits to charities.
"Our two big ones are the Boys and Girls club of Bay County, and Just For Kids Foundation. We donate to about 10 organizations."
The concert stage will be rocking again this year as the English rock band Whitesnake will perform at 6 p.m. Friday on the river- front at Veterans Park.
Radio station WILZ 104.5 Program Director Stan Parman expects the concert to bring in a large audience.
"For as long as we have been associated with the River Roar, concerts we have had about 6,000 to 8,000 people," he said.
Children can attend the Kroger Kids Zone and a Ronald McDonald Magic Show for free on both sides of the river Saturday and Sunday. The event includes coloring and sporting events, inflatable playgrounds, free giveaways and a boat driver autograph session at 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday on the west side playground.
Attendees can purchase one-day $25 VIP tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. Each ticket includes seating on the east side of the river and grilled food by Damon's Steakhouse and Grille, 4960 Town Centre, along with six vouchers for soda. In addition to the same seating and free food and drinks, a $75 weekend VIP pass includes one preferred seating pass to the concert, access to the west-side seating and pit area and one invitation to the informal drivers party at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lumberjacks Steakhouse, 605 E. Midland St.
Anyone who shows a 7-Eleven Big Gulp, Coffee or Slurpee cup will be granted free admission to the west side river grandstands on Saturday and Sunday.
Concert tickets cost $25 for general admission and $35 for preferred seating.
All race and concert tickets can be purchased online at riverroar.com or at the event.
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