At age 30, Bele Chere is now a major draw

Comments on Topix forums : ASHEVILLE For 30 years, Asheville's Bele Chere summertime festival has been like a powerful locomotive, slowly building steam, then roaring through town, shaking the city landscape ...

[Gary]

Hmm...age 30? Thirtieth anniversary, yes. But it's not thirty years old. If it started in 1979, that make Bele Chere a 29-year-old festival. This would be the 30th Bele Chere, but as far as age goes, it's only 29 years old.

Just like with a person's birth: On the day they are born, it is their "first birthday," but you wouldn't call them one year old.

[giggity giggity]

Smaaaaack. Bel Chere sucks worse than the people who move here and jerk one out to it. Bunch of people stumbling through the streets playing the roll of the fool acting like a bunch of stupid kids because they can drink on the streets. Well if its thirty according to their fuzzy math then retire this drain on the tax payer.

[Ghost Rider]

Yeah it attracts every drunk that can hitch a ride here. LOL. The City has used fuzzy math for years to keep it going. Pull the plug.

[Shonuff]

Larry wrote:

<quoted text>
every drunk, doper and deviate...

And you know these things how? Sincerely, when was the last time you attended this event? I would guess, maybe once if ever you being a resident of Barnardsville and a lover of the peace and quiet such a community offers?

I've been maybe three times, can't stand the heat for one thing nor the crowds, but I failed totally to take note of any of those drunks, dopers and deviants except when I stopped in a local watering hole and saw myself in the restroom mirror. ROFLMAO

[Shonuff]

Larry wrote:

<quoted text>
i lived on macon avenue for 10 years, not only could i hear all the bullchit from bele chere, i could smell it also...

Yuk, ya convinced me. Can't handle the walking anymore, either me nor my honey.

[Ronald Frobnitz]

I went one time, 14 years ago, when Dr. Ralph Stanley performed. Political views have nothing to do with it. I am not getting into a big crowd on purpose no matter who makes up the crowd. I am not going to pay for the overpriced food and drink. I would like to know how AC-T and WLOS can justity the free advertising they give this event. They pretend this is as important as their heroes Billy and Frankie Graham.

[Packed Square]

I wonder what the late Bill Moore's friends, Lonzon and the Pundit, would say about the Belly Cheer or Belcher Festival turning 30. I'll drink to that?

[Last Buffalo]

Packed Square wrote:

I wonder what the late Bill Moore's friends, Lonzon and the Pundit, would say about the Belly Cheer or Belcher Festival turning 30. I'll drink to that?

I miss Lonzo and the Pundit.(sigh)

[Gordon Smith]

I see that the whining whiners who don't like anything or anybody are still alive and well here at the Topix Forum.

I think conservatives don't like Bele Chere because it's a government program.

It's crazy crowded and boozy down there, to be sure, but if that were a deal-breaker, then every bar in America ought to close.

I love going down there to peoplewatch and hear the local acts. Grab a Mocha Brain Freeze from Malaprops and watch the scene for a few hours next weekend. Park outside of downtown and take a bus in. Have fun, it's a FREE street festival.

[fortressman]

Lived here my whole life - never been to BS. Never plan on going. I find it a waste of time. Besides, can't you go downtown on a normal day and see enough wackos to do you for a while?

[MurphyMobile]

Just talk with any APD officer about bele chere
and the numbers they have to arrest due to inappropriate behavior. And then when it is time to close down, they have to find a bull dozer to
remove the scum off the street.

Why the city keeps this fair going is beyond me.
They do not make any money. It is always owes
some vendor.

And then the weather sucks. Either it is too hot,
or it rains.

And where are all the people going to fit.

You do learn one thing while down at bele chere,
how much the downtown has changed, how tempers flare, and the cost of food doubles!!!

NYC had street fairs that made bele chere look like the largest scam job in the world.

Even Philadelphia, PA has some cool fairs (little
Italy - just have to dodge a few bullets)

[Old Hippie]

After living in several large cities and seeing festivals of all types Bele Chere is the worst I have seen. Asheville doesn't even clean up for it and I don't think they clean up after. Why can't Asheville do some big festivals like Greenville does. Asheville is the laughing stock of the southeast. Unless of course you just want to hitchhike and drink until you pass out. Don't forget your " I work for food" sign.

[Douglas Ewen]

Lake you are so mean! You really need to get laid! Gordon is not a moron ... has a degree, do you?
I agree with Gordon and I love Bele Chere ... living downtown makes it easy access. I'm glad they are booking mostly local acts. I will not pay a dime (actually you couldn't pay me to see)
Travis Twitt though.
Lake you really should go and dance with me ... I love to dance.
See you there Gordon.

[Lake28804]

Douglas Ewen wrote:

Lake you are so mean! You really need to get laid! Gordon is not a moron ... has a degree, do you?
I agree with Gordon and I love Bele Chere ... living downtown makes it easy access. I'm glad they are booking mostly local acts. I will not pay a dime (actually you couldn't pay me to see)
Travis Twitt though.
Lake you really should go and dance with me ... I love to dance.
See you there Gordon.

Lol! I am not mean! Gordon is just too self righteous and stuffy. His way or no way on every matter. Gag. I am all for dancing and I hate Travis Twitt too!

[Jackson Girl]

I will not waste my money at Bele Chere. That's money I could give Ralph Mumpower for his run for Congress. Maybe I could help him get $1,000 into the bank.

[LOVE it]

Gordon Smith wrote:

I see that the whining whiners who don't like anything or anybody are still alive and well here at the Topix Forum.
I think conservatives don't like Bele Chere because it's a government program.
It's crazy crowded and boozy down there, to be sure, but if that were a deal-breaker, then every bar in America ought to close.
I love going down there to peoplewatch and hear the local acts. Grab a Mocha Brain Freeze from Malaprops and watch the scene for a few hours next weekend. Park outside of downtown and take a bus in. Have fun, it's a FREE street festival.

Wellll, we're conservative & we LOVE it--we go for the music & people-watching. Will only buy a couple things to eat/drink to support the cause, but sure glad somebody is willing to buy crafts or whatever to keep it going! Oh yeah, and we don't mind paying for parking for the convenience of having car near and some of the best views are from a couple of the garages,esp. if it rains :)

[Joe]

I think Belle Chere is over rated and doesnt not attract that many people. I would say more in the 100,000 range since the same people come over and over for the weekend. Look at speed sreet in Charlotte, It attracts way more than Bele Chere ever could. BS claimns they are the biggest sreet festival in the south, Bull S###.

[Asheville_Native]

That is a misprint, it should

"After 30 years Bele Chere is still a major DRAIN" as it is still a drain on the taxpayers while the city creates event that causes local business to close down for the week-end and out of town hawkers come and sell their overpriced made in China trinkets.

[Gordon Smith]

LOVE it wrote:

<quoted text>
Wellll, we're conservative & we LOVE it--we go for the music & people-watching. Will only buy a couple things to eat/drink to support the cause, but sure glad somebody is willing to buy crafts or whatever to keep it going! Oh yeah, and we don't mind paying for parking for the convenience of having car near and some of the best views are from a couple of the garages,esp. if it rains :)

Sweet! Sorry for lumping you in with all the negative nancies over here!

[WilliamJ]

Just another example of how downtown merchants, hotel operators and developers own the Council of Clowns. The taxpayers foot the bill and the aforementioned above rake in the cash.