WBVFD Plans Bayside Festival to Fund New Firehouse

The Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department (WBVFD) announced over the weekend it will be hosting its 2012 Bayside Festival on July 28 in Edgewater, featuring six different bands and slew of sports memorabilia auctions. 

The event, located at the Bayside Inn at 1246 Mayo Rd., will benefit the local volunteer fire department and its efforts to . Their current station was built in 1946-47 and its location causes significant problems when getting out to cover incidents, said 38-year WBVFD veteran Mac Connell Jr. 

The money raised from the 2012 Bayside Festival will go directly toward funding the construction of the new fire station, expected to cost between $2 million and $3 million. Connell said construction may not start for a few years, but all the money raised will be saved to finance the station's development. 

The fundraiser will offer live music by Bayside Soul, Past Tense, 8 Ball, M.C. Blues Band, Declassified Band and the Travis Adams Band. Along with the tunes, various regional sports memorabilia will be up for grabs—including jerseys, posters and equipment signed by Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Joe Flacco, Cal Ripken Jr., Rober Griffin III, Bryce Harper, Alexander Ovechkin and many more. 

Other non-sports related items will be auctioned off as well, according to WBFVD Lt. John Sweeney. 

Will you be attending this year's Bayside Festival?