FeedsBelleville celebrates bridge, business
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The Belleville Central Business Community and the City of Belleville hosted the annual Belleville Bridgewalk and Taste of Belleville last weekend. More than 150 participants took the 15-minute stroll along the bridge and more than 300 people headed over fResidents celebrated an area tradition, in full flavor, last weekend during the Belleville Bridgewalk and Taste of Belleville.
Mayor Richard Smith, Mayor ProTem Rick Dawson and his mother-in-law Grace Judd, led the walk that brought more than 150 participants across the bridge and into the summer event sponsored by the Belleville Central Business Community and the City of Belleville.
“It went real well, we had at least that many (150) walkers, but even more at the entire event,” said Smith.
“It was wonderful, we handed out many certificates,” added Dawson. “My mother-in-law, who’s 94, joined us because she used to walk the Mackinac Bridgewalk so she had a ball at this one.”
Kelly Boelter, executive director for the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce, said that’s part of what the 15-minute walk’s all about: paying homage to the Mackinac Bridge. The taste fest immediately followed the walk in Doane’s Landing Park. Visitors sampled nine different restaurants for a $1 a sample, including Crema Coffee, Tim Horton’s, Marco’s Pizza, Culver’s, Carlson Catering, Applebee’s, Red Beans & Rice, Starting Line Diner and Benito’s. Patrons also enjoyed music by members of the Belleville Community Band.
Boelter said it’s an excellent opportunity for area businesses to promote their fares to the public, even if the restaurant turnout was down this year.
“It was phenomenal,” she said. “The setting was beautiful along the lake; it was really a nice mix and everybody had a good time.”
The bridge walk first started with the original Belleville Bridge and when the new structure was completed in November 1995, the bridge walk started again. The taste fest then followed, according to officials.
About 300-400 people attended the event this year, which also included prizes, like tickets to a Detroit Lions game in a corporate suite and artworks by the Belleville Art Colony.
To encourage the best showcase of business, a special trophy was awarded to Marco’s Pizza for the “Best Booth Presentation.”
“They had banners, someone out there in their mascot suit, they made it a lot of fun,” said Boelter.
“It took no more than three tickets per sample so you could spend only $5 and taste five different restaurants. It’s a great value,” she added. “We’d also like to go back to Doane’s Landing because it’s such a beautiful site.”
“There may have been only nine vendors this year, but there was ample food for everyone,” said Smith. “Some people didn’t even know we had the nice park of Doane’s Landing, either. The event may come back there, but I’d like to see it at the new Horizon Park next year.”
