Belle Fair Board President Ronnie Terrill said he’s happy with the work of the fair board and wants to welcome everyone to this year’s event, which starts Wednesday and runs through Saturday night.
“I think we have everything lined out and it’s going to be a great year,” said Terrill. “We were a little bit leery about our motorcycle cross, but I think the weather is going to hold off.”
Terrill said that he wants the community to know that it takes a lot of hard work putting the fair together each year and that he is proud of the volunteers who have helped the fair board. Terrill did say that they can still use volunteers at the food stand.
“We’re needing help with the lunch stand,” said Terrill. “In order to have this fair, or any other fair, we have got to have help doing them. We’ve worked at this for a year and now we just need a little extra help getting it done.”
The fair begins with the annual parade on Wednesday at 6 p.m. There is no entry fee or judging this year and entrants will line up after the emergency vehicles.
The exhibit hall will be open for viewing Thursday and Friday from 4-8 p.m and Saturday from 4-7 p.m. Exhibits must be picked up by Saturday at 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY EVENTS
The 73rd Annual Belle Fair will begin with the parade at 6 p.m. There is no entry fee or judging this year and line up will be first-come first-serve behind the emergency vehicles
Toddler Contest, Little Mister and Miss Contest, Princess Contest, and Queen Contest will be start at 7:30 p.m. Little Mister and Miss Contest will be held first, followed by the Princess then Queen contests.
At 8:30 p.m. the Belle High School Dance Team will take the stage.
Music group Clifty Creek will perform bluegrass music at 9:30 p.m.
THURSDAY EVENTS
The Breeding livestock show will begin at 5 p.m.
The Greased Pig Contest will start at 6:30 p.m.
Music group Centerstage Band will entertain the crowd with classic rock, country music, and some original songs starting at 9 p.m.
FRIDAY EVENTS
A full day of events starts at 8 a.m. with the 4-H/FFA Market show.
Registration for the Antique and Stock Tractor Pull is at 4:30 p.m. and the event will start at 6 p.m.
Musical group Barely Covered will play rock favorites starting at 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY EVENTS
The final day of the fair kicks off with the Kingsford Cook-Off at 10 a.m.
The annual car show also starts at 10 a.m. Entry fee is $30 per car and includes gate fee and registration.
Car entry categories are: Pre-50’s, 50’-60’, 61’-69’, 70’-79’, 80’-89’, and 90’-2021.
Truck entry categories are: 60’-74’, 75’-90’, and 91’-2021.
There are also prizes available for Modified, Super-Modified, and Rat Rod categories.
Judging will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and there will be 1st-3rd place trophies for every class as well as a People’s Choice trophy and prize.
The 1st Place Best in Show will take home a $600 Sunex Tool Chest and a five foot trophy. The 2nd Place Best in Show will receive a $200 Lisle Creeper and a four foot trophy. The 3rd Place Best in Show will be awarded a $100 2 Ton Jack w/Jack Stands and a three foot trophy.
The Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA) Cornhole Tournament starts at 12 p.m. Registration begins at 11 a.m.
Motocross returns to the Belle Fair at 2 p.m. The Belle Fair will be the first round in a three race Fair Cross series this summer. With special guests Phil Smage and Brett Cue.
The 4-H/FFA Livestock Auction will take place at 2 p.m.
The Kiddie Pedal Tractor Pull event is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
At 9 pm Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry will take the stage and be the final musical guest of the 73rd Annual Belle Fair.
OTHER DETAILS
Admission to the fair is $10 on Wednesday, $15 on Thursday, $25 on Friday, and $30 on Saturday. A season pass is $30 .
Carnival rides and attractions are open every day at 6 p.m. and will be available until 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Bingo will be played every day of the fair from 6 to 10 p.m.
Beer garden will be open every day.
A meal deal is being offered this year and consists of four burgers, four orders of fries, and four drinks for $27.
BCBA is holding a raffle which will be held Saturday night. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. First prize is a Pit Boss Pellet Grill, second prize is a 5-piece patio set, and third prize is a push mower.
The Fair Board is still needing volunteers to help work the track and lunch stand on Saturday, July 17. Shifts are 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm, 3-6 p.m., and 6-9 p.m. To volunteer please contact Theresa Taylor (573) 619-1880 or Cindy Barbarick (573) 263-1148.
For fair updates, follow Belle Fair on Facebook or visit the website at www.thebellefair.com.