Author: Paiton Lackey
Long Wait Finally Over
After more than an entire year of cancelling, postponing, and modifying events due to the novel corona virus pandemic, one business has had enough. Bella Creamery, located at 1512 Smith St. in the heart of downtown Kingsburg, decided to continue with their long-awaited event and hosted it on Friday, April 9th. For this event, Smith Street was blocked off from the corner of Smith and Draper to the public parking behind the old Wood’s building. The event began at 6:00 in the evening, but people were outside waiting nearly an hour before. An estimated 250 people joined for the event, with a great majority of those guests from out of the area, some traveling all the way from Coarsegold. This was a free event for all ages to attend, and it is anticipated there will be another one in the future.
“Bella Boots Line Dancing Night” sponsored by Bella Creamery and Corsaros Pizza.
Photo Credit: Samuel Marshall
Sloane 6, Candace 9, and Harlow 8 learn line dancing at Bella Boots Line Dancing Night. Sloane said, “Lovie, I just can’t get all the steps.”
Restoring a Sense of Normalcy
Something that was spectacular about this event was not only that people were out supporting local businesses like Bella Creamery or Corsaros, but the sense of normalcy brought back to our community by this event. The community has taken a huge hit in many different ways over the last year. Schools are experiencing record levels of stress and anxiety in students, businesses are enduring more financial strain than ever before, and people have been struggling with being isolated for so long. This event really broke those chains as we joined together children from young ages all the way to retired community members, reuniting them in a way that allowed for socialization and reconnecting with friends.
Free and Accessible
One big focus of the event was to make it free and accessible for everyone; to provide the community with something that everyone could do. There was seating and food, ice cream and Magosh beer, music and fun for everyone. We saw the power of music, dance, and laughter in a few short hours. “This event was really great, something our town needed,” Amanda Carrasco, owner of Heritage Co. on Draper St. says. “Our entire family came out and enjoyed the event, small business is close to our hearts and we love to support them!”
Businesses Forge Ahead
“After putting the event off for so long, we decided we just had to do it. The weather is nice enough outside that we can enjoy our town, people can still social distance and mask up if they choose to, but we can’t put it off forever,” said Paula Coelho, owner of Bella Creamery. Coelho also owns Bella Rose Bakery & Cafe, a lunch restaurant located around the corner on Lincoln St. “There is a way to go about things where we do not have to compromise safety and having a good time. Our business opened in the middle of a pandemic, but we still have bills to pay,” she stated. Both her businesses are up and running, despite not receiving any COVID-19 related help for these businesses. Bella Bakery, another family business, stayed open during the entire pandemic. Businesses are finally regaining their stability and are beginning to open up with confidence again. Overall, the Bella Boots line dancing event was a huge success for both business and the community. They would like to acknowledge and give a special thanks to Grandal Entertainment, our DJ for the evening, Tammy Velasquez, our line dancing instructor, Wildwood Curtain Sides for providing the stage and backdrop, and their partners who made this happen.
