The Wright Park Beach Bash begins at 8:15 a.m. Saturday.

The City of Dunkirk Festivals and Special Events Department will host their Annual Beach Bash on Saturday, throughout Wright Park starting at 8:15 a.m. through dusk. The event, sponsored by National Grid, DFT Communications and Beach House Bar & Grille, is open to the public.

The city of Dunkirk Recreation Department has a full slate of activities happening during this year’s Beach Bash including pickleball, slowpitch softball and volleyball tournaments. The third Annual Beach Bash Pickleball Tournament registration begins at 8:15 a.m. with the play beginning at 9 a.m.

Gary Mirowka has organized the tournament for the past three years with assistance from the City of Dunkirk Recreation Department. Registration is $10 for Dunkirk residents and $15 for non-Dunkirk residents. Registration includes pizza and medals for first, second, and third in each age division. To register, contact Mirowka at (716) 545-3001.

The 2024 Co-Ed Slowpitch Softball Playoffs will be held at Promenschenkle Stadium and School 7 Field beginning at 9 a.m. Eight teams will compete in a single elimination tournament based on seedings from the last two months. Last year’s winners, Maniacs, are favored once again to win the championship.

The Chadwick Bay Volleyball League, run by Laura Corsi Haase, will have a single elimination playoff tournament to crown this year’s winners. Eight teams have battled since the end of June for their seedings for playoffs. Last year’s winning team “How I Set Your Mother” is no longer in the league, leaving the title up for grabs. Matches will begin at 11 a.m. at the two sand courts located in Wright Park with the final game scheduled for 5 p.m.

At the Wright Park Beach rails, DJ KT Stylez will spin the tunes from noon to 2 p.m. Live music on the main stage is scheduled as follows: 2 p.m. Party McFly, 4 p.m. The Untouchables and 6:30 p.m. Grand Illusion – The Music of Styx.

Craft, gift, and food vendors will be set up from noon to 6 p.m. in the grassy lot across from Wright Park Beach. The Beach House Bar & Grille will be open along with food truck vendors including Arly & Izzy’s, 3C’s Catering and Bucket Brigade Pizza Company.

Other vendors featured are Crafty Jean, Whimsy & Sparkle Handmade Jewelry, S & P Designs Unlimited, Nalepa’s Novelties, Homemade Heart Jewelry, Belov’d Creations, The Gift Box 716, Dunkirk Historical Society, Jamestown Community College, Absolut Care of Westfield and the Roc Research Group. Complimentary bounce houses and a dunk tank will be at the event provided by Awesome Bouncers from noon to 5 p.m.

The Boys and Girls Club will have free kids’ activities. Free balloon creations will be available from noon to 3 p.m. A kids’ sidewalk chalk drawing contest is slated from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. across the road of Serval Street with judging at 4:15 p.m.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three designs. Participants do not need to be present to win. A family sand castle building contest starting at 12:30 p.m. and a water balloon toss challenge at 1 p.m. will be held at Wright Park Beach near the lifeguard stand.

Wright Park Beach will be accessible with lifeguards from noon to 7 p.m. The splash pad, playground, basketball courts, skate park and the picnic grove will also be open to the public.

At dusk, El Rigby Theater will present a “Barbie” movie for the community at the Promenschenkel Stadium. The street in front of the Beach House Grille will be closed early morning Saturday until 10 p.m. Vehicle drivers near Wright Park are asked to drive slowly and be cautious of event participants crossing streets throughout the park.

For more information, contact Scott Mekus at City of Dunkirk at (716) 366-9848 or smekus@cityofdunkirk.com.