Belle Fair will feature biggest ever firework display

74th Annual Belle Fair begins June 29

By Roxie Murphy, Staff Writer
Posted 6/15/22

BELLE — The 74th Annual Belle Fair “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” on June 29 - July 2 will be the biggest event in years, including a Saturday night fireworks celebration in …

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Belle Fair will feature biggest ever firework display

74th Annual Belle Fair begins June 29

Posted

BELLE — The 74th Annual Belle Fair “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” on June 29 - July 2 will be the biggest event in years, including a Saturday night fireworks celebration in honor of Independence Day following the Chris Cagle concert and a Thursday night demolition derby on the track.

The Saturday night mainstage entertainer Chris Cagle is well-known for his number one hit “I Breath In, I Breathe Out.” He also co-wrote/co-produced his Country Gold Record “Play it Loud,” My Love Goes On and On,” and “Larado.”

The “What Kinda Gone” artist has vocalized multiple hits throughout his 22-year country music career such as “Miss Me Baby,” “What Kinda Gone,” “Got My Country On,” and “Let There Be Cowgirls.”

See Chris Cagle at 9 p.m. on the Belle Fair Mainstage.

The fireworks display is scheduled to follow the show.

The fireworks display will be put on by Showtime Pyrotechnics out of Cuba. Showtime Pyrotechnics are planning a 18-20 min show that will include 2.5-6 inch shells that will light up the night sky with explosions up to 700 feet in the air. The show will be comparable to the Owensville show but deigned differently to include lower aerial display items. Showtime Pyrotechnics puts on shows in Owensville, Cuba, St. Clair, St James, Steelville and more. 

“It will be the biggest firework show Maries County has ever seen,” Fair board members say. “We’ve spent thousands.”

There are several new events this year that fair-goers have not seen in quite some time — or ever!

The track also has three events.

Thursday, June 30, at 7:30 p.m. will feature the FFT Flowers Demolition Derby Full Throttle on the track.

The four categories include:

Street stock big car $1,500, $600, and $400 prizes;

Super stock big car for $1,500, $600, and $400 prizes;

Street stock mini — 100 percent payback;

Mod mini — 100 percent payback.

Both the driver and the rider are $40 each to enter. A pit pass is $25 and a day pass is $20 (or purchase a season ticket in advance for $35).

On Friday, July 1, at 6 p.m., the Antique Tractor Pull/Stock Pull begins. Registration is at 4:30 p.m.

The Fair (Moto)Cross Race by Highway 65 Shades of Gray MX begins on Saturday at 6 p.m.; registration is required in advance.

Due to earlier dates, the annual Belle Fair will host the first Highway 65 Shades of Gray MX Fair Cross of the season according Belle Fair Board Member Josh Gray. 

“2021 saw the return of a Motocross Race to the Belle Fair,” Gray said. “It was part of a successful three-race series and it’s coming back again this year.”

Last year the event had 180 entries. Due to being the first of the three races in 2022, the group expects a much larger turnout on racing night.

“There are many local kids who’ve already expressed interest in racing in all three fair stops and many who have their eye on the $2,000 pro purse,” Gray said. “The three-race series stops include Belle, Rolla and Sedalia.”

Classes are available for all ages and experience leves. Riders may enter the gates any time after noon. Sign-ups start at 3 p.m., practice begins at 5 p.m., heat races at 6 p.m. and the main event at 7:30 p.m. with times subject to change depending on participation.

A Car Show will begin with sign-ups at 10 a.m. on July 2 for cars, trucks, modified, super modified, and rat rods. Entries are $40 per entry.

There will be first through third place trophies for every class as well as a People’s Choice trophy and prize, first place Best In Show — $600, Sunnex Too Chest and 5 Trophy; second place Best in Show — $200, Lisle Creeper and 4 Trophy; and third place Best in Show — $100, 2 Ton Jack with Jack Stands and 3 Trophy.

The Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA) is again hosting a Beer Garden for the duration of the fair and has added a Cornhole Tourney at noon on Saturday, July 2. Sign-ups begin at 11 a.m. and there is a $10 sign-up fee.

Prizes are $300 for first place; $200 for second place; and $100 for third place.

The Beer Garden will be selling beer and Margaritas.

The Green Building on the grounds will host exhibits available for the community to view. Open hours to be announced.

Fair Day will kick off with the traditional parade route. The parade line-up is at 5 p.m. and the event begins at 6 p.m., on Alverado Avenue and ends at the Belle City Park. Admissions is free for children five years old and under.

Sonshine Amusements Carnival, included in the price of admissions, will be open after the parade. while the Belle Fair Queen Coronation, Little Mister and Miss Contest, and Princess Contest announcements will be made at 7:30 on the Mainstage. The Belle Dance Camp/Dance Team will perform following the announcement.

Gabriel the Hypnotist will take the Mainstage at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday night.

“A fun, fresh and purley entertaining approach aiming to bring a new perspective to this state of mind,” is the shows new, modern use,” according to the website hypnotistgabriel.com.

A performance may take anywhere from one hour and 15 minutes.

“Hypnotic induction is a completely observable process that draws the audience in while witnessing the transformation,” according to the website hypnotistgabrienl.com. “ 

“Bad Influence” will take the Mainstage on Friday night.

“‘Bad Influence’ is a rock band with music ranging from the 70s to the 2000s,” says Belle Fair Board Member Rohonda Rodgers. 

The band specializes in hard rock with a smattering of southern rock and a dash of alternative music. Band members are from Belle and neighboring towns such as Rolla, St. James and Owensville area. Three members are from Belle.

Other events include:

Wednesday, June 29

6 p.m. — Belle Fair Parade

7:30 p.m. —Toddler Contest; Little Mister and Miss Contest; Princess Contest; Fair Queen Coronation 

8 p.m. — Belle Dance Camp/Dance Team

Thursday, June 30

1 p.m. — Livestock Judging

7:30 p.m. — Demolition Derby (track)

6-9 p.m. — Bingo

8:30 p.m. — Gabriel the Hypnotist

Friday, July 1

1 p.m. — Open Cattle Show

6 p.m. — Antique Tractor Pull/Stock Pull (Registration at 4:30 p.m.)

6-10 p.m. — Bingo

8:30 p.m. — Bad Influence is On the Mainstage

Saturday, July 2

10 a.m. — Kingsford Annual Cook-off

10 a.m. — Car Show registration (Judging begins at noon)

Noon — Gates open

Noon — BCBA Cornhole Tournament

2 p.m. — 4-H/FFA Livestock Sale

4 p.m. — Kiddie Pedal Pull (Signups begin at 3 p.m. at the Fair Office)

6-10 p.m. — Bingo

6 p.m. — Fair Cross Race begins 

9 p.m. Chris Cagle