9th Annual Petoskey Festival on the Bay - Something New for Everyone

Online, July 22, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Petoskey's 9th Annual Festival on the Bay will celebrate all that this waterfront community has to offer including great music, family events and breathtaking sunsets.

Festival on the Bay is truly an event for people of all ages and this year, activities will abound throughout the picturesque bay front - from the Arboretum and the Little Traverse Wheelway to Festival Place and the beautiful Bear River.

"Our committee is organizing the biggest and best festival yet," said Kathy Bardins, Festival Coordinator. "We are excited to have so many local businesses and non profit organizations getting involved this year."

Festival on the Bay involves the entire community and many local organizations and businesses are organizing new events, including:

* Chalk and Chocolate Festival presented by the Crooked Tree Arts Center and the Top of Michigan Trails Council

* Youth Fishing Derby offered by the local chapter of Trout Unlimited

* Petoskey New Car Dealers Auto Expo

* Great Bear River Duck Race offered by St. Francis Xavier Grade School

* Corporate Challenge presented by Camp Daggett

* A new and improved children's area with its own entertainment stage

Expect to find traditional festival favorites such as the Celebration of the Sunset, Jiimaan canoe rides, sporting events, arts and crafts fair, tasty food concessions and a music line-up that will entertain everyone.

Children's Area at Festival on the Bay is all about FUN! Families visiting the festival will have plenty of activities available to entertain children of all ages. New in the Children's Area is the Entertainment Stage just for kids. The following entertainment will be found on Saturday, August 20:

11:00 a.m.: Jania the Magic Lady will put wonderment and fantasy back into our lives with her magic show. She will also offer balloon-twisting at 10:30 am and again at 11:30 am.

1:00 p.m.: Joe Reilly has been a singer, songwriter, and guitarist for over twelve years and has had extensive performance and touring experience, bringing messages of hope and peace in his songs to audiences in the Midwest and across the United States.

3:00 p.m.: Northern Lights Irish Dancers. Come on out and join the Northern Lights irish Dancers to learn an Irish Ceili (folk dance). Whether you are irish or not, you will enjoy learning this traditional folk dance to awesome Irish music. All ages welcome - don't miss the fun!

Festival on the Bay is an event for the whole family with great music, fun children's activities and challenging competitive events. For more information, contact the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce at (231) 347-4150 or visit http://www.petoskeyfestival.com