Belle Center has a full day of activities planned for Independence Day. With loads of family-oriented fun, don’t forget your lawn chair.
Amy Cartwright, Joe Matthews, and Greg Fitzpatrick head up the festivities throughout the day, with a crew of over 30 volunteers. 13 folks help set off the firework show, and combined they have over 200 years of experience. Fitzpatrick gives the details of the celebration:
The village is kicking off the holiday festivities at 7:30 AM, with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at the Richland Township Fire Station that will go on until 10:30 AM. For just $7 you get all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, and a choice of milk, coffee, or orange juice. Children 5 and under eat free.
A parade will line up at Richland Township Park at 11 and begins at noon. After the parade, folks can enjoy all the fair food they can handle, including concessions from over 15 different vendors.
A variety of kid and adult games begin at the ball diamond just behind the Memorial Building and will begin at 3 PM. You can listen to great local music beginning at 2 PM by Jason Cook and then at 6 PM, the Cherry Bomb Band will take the stage. Be sure to catch the Kiddie Tractor Pull at 3 PM, WAR wrestling at 6 PM, and of course, they are saving the best for last…the fireworks are set to kick off at 10 PM. You can also shop from a variety of vendors throughout the day.
Planning for this special day includes fundraising up to a year in advance. If you wish to donate you can send a check to Belle Center Fireworks, Post Office Box 513, Belle Center, Ohio 43310.
Belle Center has spent just over $20,000 on this year’s show which is expected to last approximately 25 minutes.
Fun fact: this show has been happening for over 40 years and in 1982 the grand finale consisted of only 60 shots. Tuesday’s grand finale will include over 2,000 shots within a 30-second time frame.