Why was part of Belleville’s East Main Street closed Tuesday night? For a big celebration

Folks coming to downtown Belleville Tuesday evening, if you’re wondering what’s up with the closing of East Main Street, I have the details.

East Main Street was closed from Charles Street to High Street for Tuesday evening’s Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce 100th Anniversary Celebration.

Chamber President Wendy Pfeil said that since this year is the Chamber’s 100th anniversary year, they wanted to do something special in lieu of the usual annual dinner and silent auction event.

This year’s silent auction is online and closes at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 8.

The celebration starts with a cocktail hour and appetizers at Spaces, at 207 E. Main St.

Appetizers for the cocktail hour were donated by restaurants that are members of the Chamber.

From there, guests will move to the street for dinner.

A long line of tables spans from East Main Street’s 100 block to the east end of the 200 block. On the end at Church and East Main streets is a stage for the evening’s program.

Dinner will consist of fare from the restaurants on Main Street.

A post-reception after party will take place at Bennie’s Pizza Pub, which will include drinks and music, according to Pfeil.

She said that Bennie’s owner, Bennie Parr, will also feed the high school student volunteers helping with the event.

The event will be attended by 350 guests, said Pfeil, who is excited for the opportunity to do something different.

She said the city supported the idea of doing something that’s never been done in Belleville.

The Chamber’s annual dinner and silent auction typically takes place in January and used to be held at Fischer’s Restaurant.

Since Fischer’s closed, the event has been held at various locations in Belleville. In some recent years, the event took place in July instead of January.

For more information about the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce, visit bellevillechamber.org.