BELLAIRE — The third annual James D. Watts Sr. Classic is slated to take place August 5-10 at the Bellaire Outdoor Basketball Courts.

The event was created by longtime friends Watts Music Management Owner and Operator James Watts Jr., Bellaire council member and owner of the Holistic Cloud Bill Schmidt, and R. L. Strength & Conditioning CEO Rick Leigh.

The event’s purpose is to provide a fun, safe, outdoor activity for the residents of not only Bellaire but the entire Ohio Valley.

Watts Jr. said that the classic returning for its third year is a testament to the importance his father had in the community.

“A lot of people had a lot of love for my dad, because my dad always showed a lot of love,” Watts said. “I always say, my dad wasn’t rich in money but he was rich in love.

He added that while growing up he saw whoever his father was around ended up being inspired by him because he was always there for the kids in his community whether it be in sports or life in general.

In keeping his father’s legacy of supporting the youth, Watts said that August 5-7 will be a kids camp where the kids can learn basketball skills by area volunteers as well as uplifting messages from a different guest speaker each day.

The cost of the entirety of the kids camp is $10 per child.

August 5 will see California University of Pennsylvania University Men’s Basketball head coach Danny Sancomb speak to the children. August 6 will see Motivational speaker master percussionist Elec Simon as the guest speaker. The last but not least guest speaker will be former Martins Ferry Girl’s Basketball head coach Kim (Traversa) Appolloni.

Starting on August 8 and going through August 10 will be the adult men’s basketball tournament.

Admission for the tournament is $350 per 5 person team with the winner of the double elimination competition winning $3,000.

In addition to the $3,000 grand prize, the MVP of the tournament will receive $250.

Watts said that for the classic’s third year it will be adding a Women’s Classic game that will take place right before the men’s championship game on Aug. 10.

The admission fee for the women’s game is $10 per athlete with a cash prize being awarded to the winning team.

He added that he thinks it’s important for the community to come together, because that’s exactly what his father was all about.

“It also gives us something to do, because a lot of times we don’t have anything to do for kids and adults. And this is just a time where we can all come out for the week and just have a good week and play some basketball,” Watts said.

Mayor Ed Marling has been a crucial part of the event’s success throughout the years.

Marling came on board during the first year to help in any way he can because he believes it brings people outside of Bellaire to the village while providing a fun time for the residents of Bellaire.

He added that in addition to offering moral support he was able to get the Parks Department to repaint the foul lines on the court.

“I donate everything I can, I don’t make much as Mayor so I give what I can away,” Marling said.

R. L. Strength & Conditioning CEO Rick Leigh added that the classic is the perfect way to honor Watts Sr. who he affectionately calls Uncle D.

“He was a man of the community, a coach, father, influencer, and he was always willing to help the youth and give them guidance and knowledge from what he went through,” Leigh said. “I feel like we’re carrying on those traditions here.”

He added that the tournament is free for anyone interested in attending.

“It’s that summertime feel, you can smell the food, we’ll have basketball, music playing, and everybody getting together and having a good time,” Leigh said. “We’re hoping that this year is bigger and better than the last two, but it’s a great experience for the kids and the community.”

Bellaire council member and owner of the Holistic Cloud Bill Schmidt added that when he was younger he didn’t have too many positive things to do.

He said that he believes events like the classic provide a positive opportunity for not only kids but the entire community to have fun while staying out of trouble.

“We really didn’t have people in our community besides uncle D who really wanted to reach out and do a lot of things for the kids and we need to give them an opportunity to come and do something safe and fun,” Schmidt said. “So they’re staying out of trouble and not getting into drugs or alcohol or the party scene and coming to an event with people who they could look up to to help keep them out of trouble.”