The Newnan Kiwanis Club was originated by Dr. Thomas Bailey and sponsored by the Atlanta Kiwanis Club in 1925. Judge W. L. Stallings served as our first president and Congressman Sid Camp was the first vice president. The first secretary was Charlie Arnall of Senoia who was also clerk of Coweta County Commissioners. It’s first directors were Dr. Thomas Bailey, Marvin Starr, the longtime Superintendent of the Coweta County School System, H. E. Ragland, owner of Ragland Hardware, Eugene Askew, a local lumber dealer, Dr. J. B. Penniston, one of the founders of Papp Clinic, Dr. W. E. Stone and H. S. “Bunk” Banta, founder of Avery Banta Jewelers and a Chesterfield in every sense of the word. Also, among the original 35 charter members was W. L. “Rat” Welch, who was the last surviving charter member - he passed away in the 1990s. The club first met at the Swinton Hotel which is now known as the Commercial House. The meals cost 50 cents.

Another area in which the Newnan Club has succeeded through the years is interclubbing. In fact, in 1971 when Walker Horne was President the Newnan Club had 2 International Interclubs. They flew to the Bahamas and to Rome, Italy.

We also have sponsored the Coweta County Fair every year but once since 1947. Through its profits we have funded numerous projects throughout the city and county including the sponsorships of Key Clubs, Builders Club, K-Kids, Aktion Club, 4-H Clubs, Scout Troops, and Little League and Soccer Teams. We also bought and gave to the county 37 acres on Pine Road for the new fairgrounds and are donating more land for additional parking. We, and the whole area, will benefit from this gift for years to come. In addition, we gave local police and fire equipment, provided numerous scholarships to worthy students, hosted “back to school” and Christmas shopping days for needy children, sponsored the first Girl Scout Troup in Coweta County, and numerous other donations that for the past several years have totaled in the hundred thousands per year. All the money that is raised from the fair is put directly back to work in the community as a result of Kiwanis generosity and foresight.

Kiwanis was founded in Detroit, Michigan, on January 21, 1915. In the early years, Kiwanis clubs focused on business networking,but even then, members were serving the needs of the poor. By 1919, the organization had changed its focus from business to service. Kiwanis became an international organization in 1916 with the organization of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario. Kiwanis limited its membership to the United States and Canada until 1962 when worldwide expansion was approved. Until 1987, Kiwanis was a male-only organization. But after years of debate and growing support, women’s membership was received overwhelmingly.

Kiwanis members are guided by these key principles:
• To give importance to the human and spiritual rather than the material values of life.
• To encourage living by the Golden Rule.
• To promote higher social, business, and professional standards.
• To encourage and be servant leaders.
• To build Kiwanis clubs that build lasting friendships & serve & strengthen local communities.
• To promote justice, patriotism, and goodwill.

Belle City Amusements was founded by Charles G. Panacek Sr. In 1919, his parents bought a farm in Racine, Wisconsin. Mr. Panacek visited the local fair where a friend of his was operating an amusement ride. While at the Fair, he came upon a live pony ride and thought, already having ponies on the farm he could build a ride himself and start a business of his own. That summer he did just that and thus began his lifelong association with the Outdoor Amusement Industry.

In 1948 Mr. Panacek incorporated his company Belle City Amusements. The name Belle City came from the town where he grew up, Racine, where supposedly the most beautiful women in Wisconsin were from, thus the spelling Belle City.

Belle City Amusements has celebrated over 50 years of providing safe, clean, family entertainment. The traditions Mr. Panacek started are still in practice today. The matriarch of the company, Mrs. Mary J. Panacek is Vice President and has an active role in public relations and other important aspects of the company. The president of Belle City Amusements is Charles G. Panacek Jr. who with his wife Rebecca, runs the daily operations of the company.

Belle City Amusements has over the years made a reputation for itself of being one of America’s premiere Outdoor Amusement providers. Our family is very proud of our heritage and is continuously looking towards the future of providing first class family entertainment to America’s finest fairs and festivals.