Kanawha County community prepares for annual festival, car show

A car show winner accepts a trophy during the 2023 Belle Festival and Car Show. This year's event will take place on Sept. 27 and Sept. 28.Photo byBelle Town Festival and Car Show

BELLE, W.Va. -- In just over a week, this small eastern Kanawha County town will welcome residents and visitors from throughout the valley to one of its biggest annual attractions.

On Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28, the town of Belle will host a weekend of amusement at the Belle Town Festival and Car Show.

The celebrations begin Friday night with live entertainment. Kanawha Valley musician Josh Pantry takes the stage at 5:30 p.m., followed by The Exiles at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the annual car show kicks off at 9 a.m. More than 50 automobiles attended the show in 2023, with dozens winning awards.

A vehicle is displayed at the 2023 Belle Town Festival and Car Show.Photo byBelle Town Festival and Car Show

Those vehicles registered by noon on Sept. 28 are eligible to win a slate of trophies and car plaques. Registration is $10 per vehicle. The car show awards will be DJ’d by city recorder Jon Syner and councilman Jacob Syner.

The show wraps up at 3 p.m. on Saturday. It’s followed by more live entertainment and festival activities.

At 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 28, acoustic rock n’ roll band Hard Reign performs, followed by the Rick K. Road Trip at 8 p.m.

Food vendors, craft vendors, and other local booths will be featured on both Friday and Saturday. Most festival activities take place along East Dupont Avenue in Belle.

The festivities ends at 10 p.m. on Sept. 28.

This year's festival in Belle takes place during the first full weekend of fall. Other muncipalities in the Kanawha Valley also celebrate their own autumn fairs in September and October.

“We hope you will come out and enjoy some delicious food, listen to some great music, check out all the different vendors,” Belle town councilwoman Nicole Fletcher said. “Have a fun time at our town festival and car show this year.”

Michael Ramsburg is a Kanawha County communities reporter. He can be reached at ramsburgreports@gmail.com or by calling 304-370-3067.