Fourth of July events slated throughout Mid-Ohio Valley
PARKERSBURG — A number of activities are planned in the Mid-Ohio Valley around the Fourth of July holiday.
WOOD COUNTY
* The annual American Legion Post 15 Carnival and fireworks show at Parkersburg’s City Park begins June 30 and runs through July 4 with games, rides and concessions. Rides are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. weeknights and all day on the weekend.
The event is sponsored by American Legion Post 15 of Parkersburg. The annual fireworks show will be at 10 p.m. July 4 in City Park, with a rain date on July 5 if necessary.
* Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will be open for the Independence Day holiday on July 4, with a special bell-ringing ceremony at 2 p.m.
Boats to the island will depart Point Park in downtown Parkersburg between 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The cost of the boat ride is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12.
The island features mansion tours, wagon rides, bike rentals, snack stand and a gift shop.
Boat tickets can be purchase at the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History at Second and Juliana streets in downtown Parkersburg. For more information, call the park office at 304-420-4800 or the visit the website at blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.
* The Williamstown Lions Club will hold its annual pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. July 4 in Tomlinson Park in Williamstown. The cost is $5 and includes pancakes, sausage and drink. The money raised from the event benefits Lions community projects.
* The annual North Hills Fourth of July Parade will be 11 a.m. on July 4 in North Hills.
Parade participants are asked to line up at the parking lot at the North Hills Swim and Raquet Club beginning at 10:30 a.m. The parade will start and end at the parking lot, where it will be followed by refreshments, games and activities. Prizes will be awarded for best floats and bicycles. Other activities will include inflatables and more.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
* The Washington County Fairgrounds in Marietta will host a day of activities on the Fourth of July weekend at the fairgrounds in Marietta.
On July 1, there will be a demolition derby at 1 p.m. and a tractor pull at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for each event. Concessions will be available. No fireworks are scheduled for this year, but organizers are working to bring them back for next year.
* Marietta’s annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration will begin at 10 a.m. July 4 in downtown Marietta.
Sponsored by AMVETS Post 1788, the parade will start at Fourth and Butler streets. The parade route will follow Fourth Street, Putnam Street, Second Street, Butler Street and Front Street before ending at the Ohio National Guard Armory building in the 200 block of Front Street.
* The Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual Ice Cream Social on July 4 in Little Hocking.
Following lineup at 3:30 p.m., the social will start at 4 p.m. with a parade at Little Hocking Elementary School. There will be live entertainment, food and children’s games during the social.
* The Beverly Lions Club will sponsor its annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. July 4 at Fort Frye High School in Beverly.
Antique engine and tractor clubs and individuals are welcome to participate. The Beverly Lions Club and other vendors will serve food during the show and the fireworks. There will be displays, a community yard and vendor sale, drawings and raffle tickets for prizes. As a new addition this year, the Vienna Skysharks of Waterford is a model airplane club which will have displays and demonstrations
A flag raising will be held at 9 a.m. followed by a tractor rodeo at 10:30 a.m. and a tractor parade at 1 p.m. Food will be available all day, beginning with a pancake breakfast at the Beverly Fire Station from 8 a.m.-noon.
The annual community fireworks display in Beverly will be presented at Cadet Field at Fort Frye High School, sponsored by American Legion Post 389, at 10 p.m. July 4.
* The Little Muskingum Grange will hold its annual Pony Pull on July 4 at the Little Muskingum Watershed Association grounds on Ohio 26, about 20 miles north of Marietta.
There will be pony classes for light, medium, and heavy weighs along with measure weight teams beginning at 9 a.m. There will be concessions, a country store and drawings Admission is $3 per person which children under 12 free.
JACKSON COUNTY
* The annual Ripley Fourth of July Celebration will be held July 4 at the Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Ripley, with activities beginning June 28 and running through the holiday.
The first event will be a Unity in the Community Rally at the gazebo and courthouse lawn on June 28, followed on June 29 by a 7 p.m. video showing of “Ripley: The Man and the Town That Honors His Name” at the Alpine Theatre in Ripley. On June 30, there will be a program about Abraham Lincoln at 6:30 p.m. at the Alpine, with a concert by the Charleston Metro Band at 7:30 p.m. at the Gazebo.
On July 1, a Sock Hop with Rick K and the Allnighters will be at 7 p.m. at the courthouse. On July 2, a U-Turn Christian concert will be 6 p.m. at the courthouse lawn. On July 3, The Class Act will perform at 6 p.m. and Paul Pace at 7 p.m. at the courthouse.
On the Fourth of July, activities begin at 7 a.m. with a pancake breakfast at Calvary United Methodist Church, then 9 a.m. will be the Little Patriot Hour on the courthouse lawn with children’s games and prized for grades K-5. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. with the Firecracker 2 Mile Race at 11:30 a.m.
The Grand Parade will be noon and there will be entertainment through the day until the fireworks display at 10 p.m.
This year’s entertainers on July 4 include: Jackson County Talent Show Winners at 2 p.m., The Dave and Daphne Show at 4 p.m., Elvis Tribute Artist Dwight Icenhower at 6 p.m. and Tennessee River (Alabama Tribute Band) at 8 p.m.
A carnival will be set up in the Ripley Municipal Parking Lot through the week. The celebration will end with fireworks at 10 p.m. July 4.
WIRT COUNTY
* The Elizabeth-Wirt Volunteer Fire Department will hold its 39th annual Ice Cream Social on July 1 in Elizabeth.
The event kicks off with the Firecracker 5K Road Run and Fun Walk at 8 a.m. (Registration begins at 7 a.m.) A fireman’s parade through Elizabeth will follow at 11 a.m., with units to begin lining up at 10 a.m. The opening ceremony will be 11:50 a.m.
There will be refreshments, ice cream, raffles, door prizes and live entertainment from noon to 10 p.m. at the fire station, including an auction from 6-8 p.m. and the fireworks at 10 p.m.
The entertainers will include: The Pearly Gates at noon; Union Valley Bluegrass at 2 p.m.; The Johnny Staats Project at 4 p.m.; and TRO Band at 8 p.m.