Weather cooperates as annual Belpre Homecoming begins
Tanya Mathess of Parkersburg sits on the seat of the Yamaha Tour Deluxe motorcycle she owns with her husband, Glenn, during the BFC (Biker for Christ) Motorcycle Show at the Belpre Homecoming Thursday. It was the first time for the event. The winner was determined by public voting. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Belpre High School band member Alora Stull plays her mellophone as the band plays “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the opening ceremonies of the Belpre Homecoming Thursday. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Lighting the homecoming fire at the end of the opening ceremonies are, from left, Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp, Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz and Parkersburg Homecoming Committee President Michael Cottrell. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Nick Hampton of Boy Scout Troop 13 in Belpre peeks between flags before the opening ceremonies at the Belpre Homecoming, which opened Thursday evening. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Tanya Mathess of Parkersburg sits on the seat of the Yamaha Tour Deluxe motorcycle she owns with her husband, Glenn, during the BFC (Biker for Christ) Motorcycle Show at the Belpre Homecoming Thursday. It was the first time for the event. The winner was determined by public voting. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Belpre High School band member Alora Stull plays her mellophone as the band plays “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the opening ceremonies of the Belpre Homecoming Thursday. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Lighting the homecoming fire at the end of the opening ceremonies are, from left, Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp, Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz and Parkersburg Homecoming Committee President Michael Cottrell. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
Nick Hampton of Boy Scout Troop 13 in Belpre peeks between flags before the opening ceremonies at the Belpre Homecoming, which opened Thursday evening. (Photo by Jeff Baughan)
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BELPRE -- Belpre Homecoming coordinator Lyndsay Dennis looked around at the crowd of people in front of the Civitan Park gazebo and skyward, smiled and said, "the rain didn't show but the people have. It looks like a great night."
The 86th Belpre Homecoming Festival opened Thursday night.
Dennis, who is the events coordinator at the Parkersburg Art Center, is in her first year as the homecoming coordinator. New to the festival is the BFC (Bikers for Christ) Motorcycle Show, which gathered entrants as the night went on. Part of the newness of the event was best of show was going to be chosen by the public.
The one-day event is followed by a car show tonight, according to Dennis. "I added the bike show this year. Motorcycles are very near and dear to my heart but I wanted to stay true to the tradition of homecoming.
"I grew up on motorcycles," she said. "My dad (Dan Carpenter) rode and I rode with him, whatever he was riding at the time." Her father was in charge of the event, which drew more than 25 cycles in the actual show with many more positioned near the show area.
Despite the cancellation of the amusement rides, Dennis said, six inflatables had been secured and were open to children 4-12 with a minimal height requirement. "There's a good crowd and a lot of young children near the inflatables. They all seem to be having a good time. The vendors are busy. It's a great night."
Results of the Belpre Homecoming Little Mr. and Miss Pageant are:
∫ Alice Haynes: Little Miss Belpre
∫ Reese Wilson: Little Miss 1st runner-up
∫ Isabella Wilcoxen: Little Miss 2nd runner-up
∫ Abby Klingler: Little Miss Belpre Congeniality
∫ Jayde Haynes: Little Miss Belpre Photogenic
∫ Dalton Earley: Little Mr. Belpre
∫ Kingston Sealey: Little Mr. 1st runner-up
∫ Carter Duley: Little Mr. Photogenic and Congeniality