The Village of Bellville will host its annual Cruise-In on Friday, kicking off a weekend of free family entertainment in the village. On Saturday, an Evening of Melodies at Bellville’s historic bandstand will feature The Trio, an “electrojazzhop” group.
Over 300 automobiles will adorn downtown Bellville on Friday, July 18, from 3 – 9 p.m. Automobile enthusiasts will find antique cars, unique show pieces, and even collectible automobiles on the village green.
Friday’s music will be provided by the bluegrass band Nellie Kane as well as DJ Glenn DeLong.
“It’s a community thing,” said Mike Carver, coordinator of the event, “to bring people into town and show people what we have.”
Local food vendors will offer french fries and buffalo burgers, said Carver. He noted that local restaurants will be open and encourages visitors to sample the local cuisine. “It’s all about local,” he added.
Proceeds raised by automobile registration for the event will benefit the Special Olympics as well as Ohio Veterans.
The Cruise-In was founded in 2007 by a group that called themselves “Four Men and a Car,” which included Brad Walker, Randy Dudley, Dave Kapes, Jerry Marshall, and Jim Stierhoff.
“Four Men and a Car wanted to bring people into Bellville from all over Ohio. Our goal was to make a ‘destination location’ for car enthusiasts and families,” said Marshall.
He noted that the group attended many similar events, but found something in Bellville that no other place could offer – a perfect setting. “Bellville has tree-lined streets, a park and the landmark bandstand as well as multiple accesses into the village,” said Marshall. “It has been a beautiful setting since the early 1800s.”
The group organized the event from 2007 until 2010, said Marshall, and held three cruise-ins that first year, with only one per year thereafter.
“There were cool cars, hot eats, and plenty of muscle on Main Street,” said Marshall, noting that no judging was held during those events. “We wanted people to forget about trophies and just enjoy themselves.”
The event grew over those years from 106 automobiles to 532 the final year, noted Marshall. “We expected a lot of vehicles that time because of the successes of the previous ones and the great support from the Main Street businesses,” he said. “[The cars] began rolling in at noon, 5 hours prior to the start.”
“I can remember one of the guys saying that we cannot control the number coming in and all we can do is ‘contain them’. That was said when the word got to us of lines of cruisers in cars exiting I-71 and heading toward Bellville from the north and south,” added Marshall. “We all had an ear-to-ear smile when we heard that.”
The group enjoyed their success, but decided to pass the torch once Stierhoff passed away.
The entertainment will continue Saturday evening with Evening of Melodies at the bandstand.
“We have been holding the Evening of Melodies concerts since 2009,” said Juli Baker, “We, the Clear Fork Valley Chamber of Commerce, felt that our beautiful bandstand was the perfect setting for concerts.”
Each year the bandstand is the site of three to five events. “This year we had New Vision in June. The Trio this coming Saturday, and on Aug. 16, the Jimmy Warner Band. All begin at 7:30 p.m.,” said Baker.
The free series is sponsored by The Clear Fork Valley Chamber of Commerce, Mansfield Richland County Public Library, Griffon Jewelers, Jamison Well Drilling, Country Meadows Care Center, Richland Bank, Comfort Inn, Mussman Law Office, Fast Eddie’s Pizza, Smith Hardware, Wishmaker House, and Mechanics Bank.
Lawn chairs, blankets and picnics are welcome. In case of rain concerts are held in the Township Building (the old fire station) across the street.
The events are held in downtown Bellville, with Main and Church streets closed for Saturday’s event.
