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Residents sharply disagree over Confederate Railroad booking at Bay City Fireworks Festival
Summary
Public comment at the March 16 Bay City Commission meeting focused on a dispute over the booking of Confederate Railroad for the city’s Fourth of July fireworks festival, with several residents calling the band’s name and Confederate symbolism offensive while others warned canceling acts could harm the event’s economic draw.
Several dozen residents used the public-comment period at the Bay City Commission’s March 16 meeting to squarely confront the commission over the decision to include the band Confederate Railroad in the city’s Fourth of July fireworks festival.
Deborah Rogers told commissioners she found the booking inappropriate for an Independence Day celebration, saying Confederate symbols represent “hostility, racism, white supremacy” and urging a boycott. “I don't really understand why we're going to have that because I don't feel it's appropriate a celebration of our 4th of July,” Rogers said.
Other speakers said the booking should stand. Rachel Shore, who identified herself as a lifelong Bay City resident, called objections “absolutely nonsense” and said the band’s music is not about slavery or politics. “They’re invited here to play music at a fireworks festival, not give a political speech,” Shore said.
Lance Anson and other speakers urged the commission to prioritize infrastructure over entertainment disputes. Anson criticized the focus on the band while streets and sewers need repair, and Jack Wallace later raised a separate enforcement complaint about parking during a parade.
Andrew Tibedo and others argued Confederate imagery is not appropriate for a public park or a community celebration. Tibedo said Confederate symbolism is “racist and anti‑Semitic” and urged the commission to consider community safety and tone when approving event lineups.
Kelly Cole, who described the economic importance of the fireworks festival, said removing acts over a band name would divide the community and harm local businesses. “Each and every year the festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to Bay City,” Cole said, urging the commission not to let a single commissioner’s opinion dictate the festival programming.
No formal motion or vote on the festival lineup appeared on the March 16 agenda; the remarks came during the public‑comment period. Commissioners said they would continue to hear residents’ views and encouraged civil dialogue at an upcoming Breaking Bread town‑hall event.
