Debate over Confederate Railroad performing in Bay City continues during commission meeting

Residents speak out against and for the band

BAY CITY, Mich. — A dispute over a scheduled performance by the country band Confederate Railroad is drawing sharp reactions in Bay City ahead of the community’s annual Fourth of July celebration.

4th Ward Commissioner Ben Tenney is urging sponsors to withdraw support from the Bay City Fireworks Festival after organizers announced the band as a headliner for the 2026 event. In a letter to festival president Earl Bovia, Tenney called for the group to be removed from the lineup, arguing that the band’s name and imagery — which have included Confederate symbols — are widely associated with racism, slavery and white supremacy.

Festival organizers have declined to make changes.

This is a just a small part of those speaking our for an against the band at Monday night’s meeting:

Bovia said Confederate Railroad will remain on the schedule due to contractual obligations. As of this week, no sponsors — including presenting sponsor McLaren Health Care — have withdrawn their support.

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The Bay City Fireworks Festival is scheduled for July 1 through July 4, 2026, and is expected to feature one of the largest fireworks displays in the event’s history as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Confederate Railroad is slated to perform July 2.

The controversy reflects a broader divide within the community.

Some residents and officials have criticized the decision, saying the band’s branding is inappropriate for a public, family-focused event. Others have defended the booking, arguing the performance should not be politicized and that the band represents a style of country music rather than a political statement.

The band has faced similar disputes in the past.

In 2019, Confederate Railroad was removed from multiple state and county fair lineups, including events in Illinois and New York, following objections over its name and logo. Critics have long argued that Confederate imagery is tied to a history of racial oppression, while supporters of the band have said the name reflects Southern heritage and musical identity.

At times, the group has pushed back against cancellations, and in at least one case declined payment after being dropped from an event.

The situation in Bay City is the latest in a series of challenges for the Fireworks Festival related to performer bookings.

In 2025, organizers replaced Josey Scott after he withdrew from the lineup, bringing in Trapt as a substitute. A year earlier, the festival canceled Jack Russell’s Great White due to medical concerns involving its lead singer, later securing Stephen Pearcy to perform.

Despite the ongoing debate, festival plans are moving forward.

Whether the controversy will impact attendance or sponsorship remains unclear, but the issue has already sparked renewed discussion about how communities balance entertainment choices with public concerns over historical symbolism.