The town of Belville is preparing for its 48th anniversary.
Belville was considered the gateway into Brunswick County from Wilmington until U.S. 74-76 was relocated to come into Leland. The town was incorporated in 1977.
When is the Founders Day celebration?
The anniversary celebration will be held 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at Belville Riverwalk Park, 580 River Road, SE, Belville. Admission to the event is free. There will be free parking available at Belville Riverwalk Park and at Belville Elementary School, located at 575 River Road, SE, across from the park.
Who founded Belville?
Belville, once part of a 280-acre plantation that profited from rice farming, was owned by Kaniel Lindsay Russell Jr., a prominent North Carolina lawyer, judge and politician. He was North Carolina’s governor from 1897-1901 and representative to the 46th U.S. Congress. While Russell is generally considered to be the founder of the Belville area, in 2016 the town unearthed evidence of the Buchoi Plantation, which was used as early as 1776. The Buchoi Plantation was originally occupied by Justice Alfred Moore, a U.S. Supreme Court Justice who fought in the Revolutionary War. The plantation is located in the Brunswick Riverwalk Park off of U.S. 133.
What type of activities and entertainment will be provided?
- There will be live music by the Port City Rockers.
- Balloon sculptor Mr. Twister
- Coastal Buddy Builders
- Over 55 arts and crafts vendors offering jewelry and more.
- Face painting
- Rhi Mi Creations will be on site with tumbler making materials.
- Family play areas with inflatables and more.
- Raffles
- Nine food trucks will be on site.
Cheryl M. Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected].