Breaking News
Community News

Belpre Homecoming wraps up 4 days of festivities

By Evan Bevins and Gwen Sour 4 min read

BELPRE - The 94th annual Belpre Homecoming Festival weathered two storms over its four-day run at Civitan Park, but they didn't seem to dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

"It's been amazing," said Bobbie Walker, vice president of the Homecoming committee. "I think we had triple attendance this year."

Even thunder, lightning and rain Friday night didn't keep people away for long, she said. While one of the pageants had to be moved to Belpre High School, the main musical act - AC/DC tribute group Hell's Bells - took the main stage after a delay.

"(People) packed the park," Walker said. "They all came back."

Also a draw were the carnival rides, open at no charge on the festival's first night Thursday and final day Sunday.

Belpre Homecoming is an annual tradition for sisters Karyn Carpenter and Terri Sizemore, both of Belpre. Although Sizemore said she misses the days when the festival was held at Howes Grove Park, the venue isn't the most important thing to her.

"It's just more about friends ... and the concert and the community," said Sizemore, who listed Saturday's Alabama tribute act Songs of the South as her favorite part of the festival.

Parkersburg resident Nichole Nelson and her daughter Adelynn Boggs were playing carnival games Sunday afternoon. Nelson had a simple answer when asked about the appeal of the festival.

"It's free," she said. "That's a nice perk. And just community, honestly."

That community spirit was evident among vendors taking shelter from the Friday storm. Meghann Justice, co-owner of Ohio Plant Pusher, said one of the food vendors brought her and co-owner Carole Needs free nachos as they rode out the storm.

"It was batten down the hatches," Justice said with a laugh.

Walker said there were 18 food vendors this year, twice what they had in 2025. That was thanks in part to upgraded electrical infrastructure at the park provided by the city.

"We couldn't do this without the City of Belpre," she said.

Other changes this year included a new marquee sign, a redesigned festival layout and additional attractions for children. An LED robot on stilts made its festival debut Saturday evening before Songs of the South.

Jamie McCormick, secretary and vendor coordinator for the Homecoming committee said vendors and activities were arranged throughout the park to improve foot traffic and give families more things to explore. Attractions included a slime vendor, glitter station, hair braiding, face painting and performances by the Queen City Stunt Circus.

"I think just having the park mixed with all kinds of different (activities) and different things to do for kids" helped improve the festival, McCormick said.

The entertainment schedule opened Thursday with Insured Sound, a local band that has performed for more than 50 years. Gribble Roofing sponsored the musical acts, which also included the Clark Family following a worship service on Sunday.

Gribble owners Mike and Ciera Gribble also organized the "Taco 'bout Jesus" event Sunday afternoon, which featured live worship music and free food, clothing and school supplies, supported by churches of multiple denominations.

Saturday's activities included the Belpre Mile and the annual Homecoming parade, along with a puppy pageant, cornhole tournament, kiddie tractor pedal pull and historical trolley tours.

Committee President Amanda Wires began leading the festival's revival several years ago, McCormick said. Since then, organizers have worked to expand its schedule, vendors and entertainment.

"I feel like every year it gets bigger and bigger," McCormick said.

The event began in 1932 as a community gathering featuring potluck dinners and has grown to include carnival rides, vendors and free entertainment.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.

Starting at /week.