NEW BALTIMORE, Mich. (WXYZ) — An annual tradition in Macomb County is one that you may want to add to the summer bucket list. The Bay-Rama Fish Fly Festival in New Baltimore is celebrating 60 years.
Related: Here are summer events across metro Detroit for 2025
The five-day event kicked off Wednesday and is set to continue through the weekend.
This bay-side town has decided to embrace the bugs, hosting what’s believed to be the only fish fly festival in the world.
Watch Christiana Ford's report in the video player below
It's that time of year in New Baltimore when almost everything is covered in fish flies.
"It's our thing and I love the fish fly," said Shannon, a fair attendee.
These flies are just a part of living near the water that people here have grown to accept and embrace.
“They can be gross sometimes but they’re funny if like one gets on you," said Charlotte, a festival attendee.
"We love those little buggers," said Lisa Thomas, the Bay-Rama treasurer.
So much so, it's home to the Bay-Rama Fish Fly Festival, a beloved annual tradition in New Baltimore celebrating 60 years.
“This festival is a staple in New Baltimore. It was the first major festival (in the city)," Lisa said. "They changed it in the 80s to the Bay-rama Fish Fly Festival, mainly because the timing of the festival is the same time as the fish fly hatch. So instead of fighting it, they decided to embrace it and we've had a lot of fun with that ever since.”
Each year comes with a different fish fly theme.
"Every year we dress our fish flies up to match the theme of the festival," Lisa said.
The festival brings the community together for a week of fun and excitement, from carnival rides and games to live music and fireworks.
“There's always something to look forward to and something to do when you come down," said Dawn Wolscheleger, the Bay-Rama Secretary.
Festivities befin with the Miss and Little Miss Bay Rama Pageant, followed by a two-night cornhole tournament, Kid's Day on Saturday with Power Wheels Demolition Derby, Chicken Chuckin, a cardboard boat race and finishes with a parade on Sunday.
“I got involved 20 years ago working with Kids Day, and we started out with maybe 75 kids that would come through in a 4-hour period," Dawn said. "We knocked it down to 2 hours, and we have well over 500 kids that come through in that 2 hour period. So it's a huge event.
The event is put on by Bay Rama Incorporated. Every dollar spent goes back into the community. To date, Bay Rama Inc. has contributed over two million dollars in donations.
They're hoping this year is the best yet.
“Everything you can imagine, it's all down here," Dawn said.
For more information on the festival, click here.
More summer events this weekend below
June 20-22
Downtown New Baltimore: June 18-22 – Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
New Haven: June 22 – Fun Foods Friends Festival
Canton: June 20- Summer Palooza
Detroit: June 20-21 – Juneteenth Jubilee Detroit Freedom Weekend
Ypsilanti: June 20-22 – Thunder over Michigan Air Show
Troy: June 20-22 – Opa! Fest
Grosse Pointe: June 21 – Grosse Pointe Pride
Auburn Hills: Jun 20-21 – SummerFest
Berkley: June 22 – Berkley Pride Block Party
Keego Harbor: June 20 – Block Party at Rose Sortor Park
Lake Orion: June 19-22 – Lake Orion Jubilee
Rochester: June 21 - Makers’ Market
Royal Oak: June 21-22 – Royal Oak Live! (jazz/r&b/funk)
Wolverine Lake: June 21 – Dog Show
Lenox Twp: June 22 – Fun Foods Friends Festival
Romeo: June 21 – Romeo Vintage Fest
Shelby Twp: June 20-21 – Summer Fest
Warren: June 21 – Shop Small Mix & Mingle “Summer Rain’ vendor and craft show
Downtown Ypsilanti: June 20-22 – Juneteenth Celebration
Brighton: June 22-24 – Brighton Street Art Fair
