THE STREETS of Bellaire will come alive this week. The annual All-American Days Festival commences its three-day run on Thursday, around and in the village’s historic park.

It is arguably the social event of the season in Bellaire. The grand affair is the culmination of year-long planning by a dedicated committee.

All three days will feature crafters, vendors, carnival rides and a Boy Scout Troop III Super Sale. On Saturday, community-wide yard sales and the Ohio Valley Farmers Market are on top.

Some of the many other highlights include:

Thursday: Entertainment by Moose Dodrill and the George and Larry Show.

Friday: Entertainment by Moose Dodrill. De’ Ja’ Vue and line dancing.

Saturday: Car show by Eden’s Auto Ranch (registration at noon), kids fishing derby and kiddie Olympics, and entertainment by Jeff Kreiter, Roz and Lynn, Ann Flamingo and Elvis Aaron Presley Jr.

All-American Days is capped by a spectacular fireworks show at 10:30 Saturday night.

The Belmont County Tourism is providing all the entertainment.

The festival offers something for people of all ages. All-American Days is Bellaire at its best.

PURPLE PAVING

MARTINS FERRY will see many paving projects this summer. Many of the projects will commence Monday.

They include:

1. West Jefferson Street from the city limits to just west of Sheet Street;

2. Intersection of 4th & Jefferson Street;

3. Intersection of 7th & Seabrights Lane;

4. “S” Turn on Broadway.

City officials are asking for patience during the paving work as well as being careful with workers in those areas. Also, drivers are reminded not to park in those work areas until paving is completed.

BUBBA’S BITS

TIMES LEADER staffer Hannah Courtney did some quality work recently spotlighting the excellent work of female police officers in Martins Ferry. Sergeant Beth Scales and Officer Mika Armstrong are both exceptional Ferry officers. Not to be overlooked in the realm of female officers is Bellaire’s Donna Baroch, one of the female pioneers in local law enforcement.

THE OHIO State Highway Patrol reported 14 deaths on Ohio roadways over the 2015 Memorial Day weekend, one more than last year. Three of this year’s fatalities are known to be OVI-related, and four did not wear their safety belts at the time of the crash. The Patrol made 544 OVI arrests and cited 5,513 motorists for safety belt violations. The four-day reporting period began Friday, May 22 and ran through Monday, May 25. In addition, the Patrol made 16,957 non-enforcement contacts, of which 4,212 were to assist motorists.

THE BELLAIRE Memorial Day program Monday was first class in all aspects. Bellaire VFW Commander Terry Wildman was riveting as featured speaker while Bob Wallace deftly handled the master of ceremonies duties. Marion Stolz was superb again as soloist. What was refreshing was the fact the turnout was sizable and sprinkled with a fair amount of youth. One of the highlights was the presentation of memorial wreaths on simulated graves — a very moving ceremony.

SIGN-UPS FOR the Bellaire Public Library Summer Reading Club will start on Monday and continue throughout the week. Those interested just need to stop in at the front desk. This year’s theme is “Every Hero Has a Story.” There are many interesting programs and fun activities planned. The club is open to students in grades K-8.

A YARD sale to benefit the Watt Center for History and the Arts is scheduled Friday, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Barnesville Depot Pavilion, East Church Street.

THE NBA Finals commence Thursday. I am pulling for the Cavaliers but the Warriors have had a dream season and are much healthier. I believe that not having Kevin Love will prove too big a void to fill for Cleveland. I say Warriors in 7.

CHEWING THE FAT: West Virginia ranks second as the most obese state, topped only by Mississippi. That surprises me in the fact that I would think cold-weather states would prove somewhat chubbier.

THE SEARCH for a new Bridgeport School District superintendent has been reportedly narrowed to two. We were informed by someone close to the search that one is from the Columbus area and the other is a local high school principal. I always believe in going with the local option. The eventual choice will have big shoes to fill as outgoing Superintendent Ted Downing did a superb job of guiding the Bulldog Nation.

JOB KILLER: Kammer Power Plant in Moundsville is scheduled to close tonight. It is another victim of suffocating EPA emissions standards. The closing is another sad chapter to the non-sensical working of the EPA. Kammer was once a mass producer of power, providing hundreds of great-paying jobs to the local work force.

HARRISON HILLS officials are pondering the construction of a new school complex.I believe the district could definitely use one. But finding a geographic friendly venue in such an expansive district would be no easy task.

KUDOS TO the Shadyside Lady Tigers softball team on a remarkable season. Jillian Ongley, her staff and players have taken the area by storm this spring. Gaining a berth in the state tournament is sensational. Ongley played for a state title as a Lady Tiger hoopster and now goes after the brass ring as a coach. We wish them well in Akron.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com