MADONNA BONANZA? Not Just a Pretty Face, Tourism Drawing Card, Say Backers
March 10, 2014
By: Dave Rogers
Not just a rock star, Madonna may bring new tourism life to her birthplace of Bay City.
Think big!
City Commissioner Chris Girard and an enthusiastic committee of community supporters think the rock star Madonna Ciccone born here in 1957 can make the city a bigger drawing card for tourists.
Using Tupelo, Mississippi, which reportedly brings in $50 million a year from tourism related to visitors to the home of Elvis Presley, as a model the committee is getting the ball rolling with a "Material World Fundraiser" on May 31.
A sign noting Bay City as the birthplace of the rock star may be just the start, the group mused at a recent meeting.
More than $600 has been raised for the sign and committee members are seeking more, plus suggestions on a location.
A statue, a small museum, a tour of Madonna-related sites -- all could bring in fans of the singer.
The fundraiser will probably feature a scavenger hunt, Madonna Look-A-Like Contest at a luncheon, tour, Madonna movie at the State Theatre, dinner and tribute artist performance at the Friendship Shell.
Other ideas include a collage of music videos playing continuously, a commemorative t-shirt for participants in the scavenger hunt and other creative ideas are under consideration.
Girard hopes to raise $5,000 to $10,000 with the initial event for "material" to help needy families through his Do-All, Inc.
Gary Johnson, former Cramer Junior High teacher whose "History of Rock and Roll" music classes were popular with the youngsters, has compiled much of the history of Madonna.
The overwhelming response to Johnson's recent First Saturday presentation at the Bay County Historical Museum has energized the effort to build Madonna attractions on the Elvis/Tupelo model.
The group, that meets at the Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, thinks big and wants to make things happen. Mainly, that involves building a structure of interest around the rock star that leads to tourism economic development.
The public's help is sought in research of the favorite things/places Madonna has visited that link the star to Bay City.