The Olive Tree is preparing for grand re-opening festivities this weekend, featuring celebrity guests and more than 40 artists, merchants and street performers along west Chillicothe Avenue.
Owner Tyler Berry explained that a little over a month ago, the facility was officially approved for a D5 liquor license. The transition quickly began into opening the very first gay bar in Bellefontaine, located at at 121 W. Chillicothe Ave.
“The nearest gay bar to the area is over 30 miles away and about an hour drive, so this is a big deal to the community and surrounding communities.
“We are keeping the name ‘The Olive Tree’ as it represents love, encourages friendship, and is a perfect umbrella term for everything we are trying to accomplish.”
Because of this change for the venue, The Olive Tree decided to host the grand re-opening, beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and continuing throughout the day.
“We are very, very excited to celebrate. All are welcome to enjoy the festival, shop, watch a show, and have a good time,” Berry said.
The transition to a gay bar grew out naturally of other happenings at The Olive Tree earlier this year, Berry explained. In February, the facility hosted its first drag queen show.
“The event was accepted so well by the community that we have continued doing them one to three times a month,” the owner said.
One of the celebrity guests to walk the red carpet Saturday is Kennedy Davenport, who is flying in from Texas for an evening performance.
“Miss Davenport has been globally-known from the hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race and RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” Berry said. “This will make Bellefontaine the smallest town in Ohio to ever bring a queen from the show. We expect to attract visitors to Bellefontaine from all over the state and even the surrounding states.”
The event also will not be lacking in food or flavor, with another nationally-known celebrity, Sugar Vermonte, who will showcase her culinary prowess with her food truck on site.
“Sugar owns the food truck ‘Maybe Cheese Born With It’ based out of Toledo. The mac and cheese truck got national attention appearing on Food Networks “The Great Food Truck Race” season 15 coming in second,” Berry explained.
Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and continue until about 10 p.m. From noon to 4 p.m., a drag brunch is planned with Abortia Clinique and guest performers.
Starting at 5 p.m., a Hairy Legs & High Heels race takes place down west Chillicothe Avenue. The event is free to enter, and more than $100 in prizes are available.
Then at 8 p.m., a VIP meet and greet with Davenport begins, followed by her performance at 9 p.m. to close, hosted by Blonde Vanity and Mari Jane.
For more information or tickets for the multiple events going on throughout the day, visit TheOliveTree.Eventbrite.com or “The Olive Tree” on Facebook.