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The 47th annual Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival runs Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, at B.C. McLeish Memorial Park. The weekend includes its signature fish sandwiches, a parade, live music, children’s activities, a car show and fireworks.
Bay Port’s signature summer festival begins Friday
BAY PORT, MI — Bay Port will again turn its commercial fishing roots into a two-day community celebration when the Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival opens Friday, July 31.
The 47th annual festival will be held at B.C. McLeish Memorial Park in downtown Bay Port. Fish sandwich sales and most Friday activities run from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday sales are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until the fish sells out.
Admission is free, and the weekend schedule includes live bands, vendors, historical exhibits, children’s inflatables, a petting zoo, a fun run, a car show, a cornhole tournament and Saturday night fireworks.
The festival remains one of the Upper Thumb’s best-known food events, but organizers say its purpose reaches beyond a busy weekend in the park. Money raised through the festival is returned to Bay Port community projects, including improvements to local playgrounds. Volunteers provide much of the labor needed to prepare food, operate activities and keep the event moving.
The original Bay Port fish sandwich remains the main attraction
The sandwich traces its roots to 1978. According to the account preserved by the Bay Port Fish Company, Henry Engelhard began selling fish sandwiches near his home to raise money for his daughter’s college education. The idea grew into an annual celebration tied closely to Bay Port’s long commercial fishing history.
The festival’s featured food is the original Bay Port mullet sandwich, made with freshwater mullet.
The original sandwich will sell for $7 during this year’s event. Other menu choices include:
- Walleye sandwich: $10
- Lake Huron whitefish with fries: $15
- Hot dog: $3
- French fries: $5
- Cheesy fries: $7
Whitefish and walleye were added to the festival menu in 2013 and quickly became popular alternatives to the traditional mullet sandwich.
Festival organizers have warned that Saturday sales may end early if supplies run out.
Friday opens with fish, history and live music
Friday activities begin before the park food booths open.
Festival T-shirts and sweatshirts will be sold from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. inside the Bay Port State Bank lobby. The Bay Port Historical Society Museum, 856 Second St., will be open from noon to 4 p.m.
Fish sandwich sales, vendors and craft booths will operate from noon to 8 p.m. Free children’s inflatables will also be available during those hours.
The Bay Port Area Historical Society will sell commemorative buttons, photographs and books in the park.
At 5 p.m., the Howard Guard will take part in a flagpole ceremony and the national anthem, followed by the introduction of the festival grand marshal.
A free petting zoo will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. Mandi Layne and the Lost Highway will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. on the festival stage.
Saturday begins with a fun run and grand parade
Saturday’s program begins at 8 a.m. with the RUM Runner 5K Pirate Fun Run and Walk. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. in the Bay Port Inn parking lot, and participants may register in person.
Festival shirts and sweatshirts will be sold from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the township hall, 9811 Main St.
The grand parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. No advance registration is required for parade entries.
Participants should line up as they arrive on Henner Road between M-25 and Bay Port Road. Parade lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. Organizers are inviting businesses, community groups, families, clubs and individuals to take part.
Fish sales, craft vendors and historical society sales begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 7 p.m. The Bay Port Historical Society Museum will again be open from noon to 4 p.m.
Foam party, car show and cornhole tournament set for Saturday
Saturday afternoon includes several free and low-cost activities throughout Bay Port.
A cornhole tournament begins at 1 p.m. at the Bay Port Inn. Registration opens at 12:30 p.m. The tournament is sponsored and organized by the inn.
A car show will run from 1 to 5 p.m. behind the festival vendor and crafter area.
Children ages 12 and younger may take part in a free scavenger hunt at 1 p.m. in the foam pit behind the basketball court. A free foam party for all ages follows at 1:30 p.m. on the basketball court.
Free children’s inflatables will remain open from noon to 8 p.m.
A free mobile golf simulator will operate from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bay Port Inn. The festival’s golf cart raffle drawing is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the stage trailer.
Family Tradition Band and fireworks close the festival
The Family Tradition Band will perform live from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
The festival ends with a fireworks show at dusk. The display is sponsored by the Bay Port Chamber of Commerce and supporters of the Fish Sandwich Festival. The fireworks remain weather-dependent.
Festival proceeds have supported community needs in prior years, including plans to replace aging playground equipment in Bay Port’s village park. Organizers credit the event’s survival to local volunteers, businesses and residents who return each summer to prepare food and operate the weekend program.
Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival at a glance
| Event detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 |
| Location | B.C. McLeish Memorial Park, Bay Port |
| Friday hours | Noon to 8 p.m. |
| Saturday hours | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or until sold out |
| Grand parade | 10:30 a.m. Saturday |
| Parade lineup | 9:30 a.m. on Henner Road |
| Admission | Free |
| Saturday fireworks | At dusk |
| Festival information | Bay Port Chamber of Commerce |
