Island Bay Day was an idea that I had back in 2006 to help struggling businesses and charities in the Kent Island area. In October 2007 I was able to assemble volunteers and put together the first Island Bay Day in a parking lot behind a bar / restaurant that was struggling to get business. The restaurant was an advertiser on my website "Kent Island Online" and I put together a small music festival that featured 6 bands, food vendors, craft vendors, kids games, etc., to get exposure for the establishment. Money raised went to a local Chesapeake Bay charity.
Response from the festival was positive, so I decided to do another "Island Bay Day" at a larger location the next year. We added a large stage and tents, and the event grew. At this time I assembled a three person 'board' to help with decisions, sales, bands, etc. The new Island Bay Day team helped bring the event to an even larger location the next year, and move it up to a two stage venue with 12 bands playing. Money raised continued to go to charity and our name was becoming known.
In 2010 Island Bay Day again outgrew its venue and was moved to a field on Kent Island that could hold thousands of people. We had moved up to three stages and a national act as the headliner. Attendance topped 4000 people and we were able to donate a good amount of money to a local charity.
Island Bay Day has grown into one of the largest festivals in the "Mid-Shore" area and it is still growing. Big name acts now contact us to play and we have sponsorships from major companies to produce the festival. We have radio ads that I produce running on Baltimore and Washington DC radio stations, and radio stations jockey for space at the venue.
2011 Island Bay Day will be October 15th and will feature 12 well known bands, both national and regional level. The stages are professional concert stages with light shows and independent pro-sound. Our format is two large scale stages side by side with non-stop music for 12 hours. We also have games, pony rides, video game stations, bounces, etc., for kids, pub games, wine tastings and beer trucks for adults, vendors selling everything from custom guitars to candles, a big selection of food vendors, and more.
I work out trade deals and payments with service providers, bands, sponsors, and crew, as well as design and run the Island Bay Day website, script and voice the radio ads, host the event on stage and introduce the bands, and work with a dedicated team of volunteers to grow this festival every year. I am in charge of all outreach including social media, radio, print, TV, and website ads, and I work with the IBD team to constantly promote the festival throughout the year with monthly themed parties at area establishments that feature our bands and more.
This year we expect thousands of people to come to Island Bay Day - You should be a part of this!
