Annual parade kicks off Parkersburg Homecoming events
Brody McGee, 2, watches the vehicles in the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival parade on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Averie Posey, 3, of Parkersburg, retrieves candy thrown by floats in the parade Saturday in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Members of Gift Gallery and Wood County Society walk together as part of a collaborative effort in Saturday’s Parkersburg Homecoming Festival Parade. Together there were 50 volunteers walking with balloons. Gift Gallery received first place in the commercial float category. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
James Bailey, in 27, and Wyatt Kale, in C4, race for second as Mack Brookover, in 12, prepares to lap them during the mini wedge race at Point Park Marketplace as part of Saturday’s Homecoming. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Crowds lined Market Street to watch the annual Parkersburg Homecoming Parade. (Photo by Terry L. Estep)
Brody McGee, 2, watches the vehicles in the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival parade on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Averie Posey, 3, of Parkersburg, retrieves candy thrown by floats in the parade Saturday in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Members of Gift Gallery and Wood County Society walk together as part of a collaborative effort in Saturday’s Parkersburg Homecoming Festival Parade. Together there were 50 volunteers walking with balloons. Gift Gallery received first place in the commercial float category. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
James Bailey, in 27, and Wyatt Kale, in C4, race for second as Mack Brookover, in 12, prepares to lap them during the mini wedge race at Point Park Marketplace as part of Saturday’s Homecoming. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)
Crowds lined Market Street to watch the annual Parkersburg Homecoming Parade. (Photo by Terry L. Estep)
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PARKERSBURG -- Even without rides, the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival attracted crowds of people to enjoy many different events Saturday as the annual event continues today in downtown Parkersburg.
The afternoon kicked off with the annual Homecoming Parade, and even though it was humid, people lined the streets to watch the parade go by.
"My daughter Payton is cheering in the parade," said Danielle Kniceley.
Kniceley also brought her 2-year-old son Brody McGee to enjoy the parade and cheer on his sister.
"Brody loves watching the fire trucks, tractors … really anything with an engine go by," she said.
Parade judges chose winners in the non-commercial and commercial float categories. The non-commercial winners were: first, Sons of the American Revolution; second, Carlin's Battery D; and third, Blueprints Foster Care. The commercial winners were: first, Gift Gallery of Vienna; second, Boxers Bed And Biscuits; and third, Obermyers Florists.
"It was a great day for a parade," said LoriUllmann-Wright, parade coordinator, "So many smiling people, so many floats, so much candy, so much fun," she said.
Following the parade, many people walked down to Point Park Marketplace to watch the mini wedge races, a new event at this year's Homecoming.
Jocelynn Slayton was among those who were watching the kids race mini wedge go carts.
"My son Walker is 5 and for his sixth birthday he really wants to get a mini wedge and start racing," she said.
Slayton said they have family friends who race, and that has inspired her son to want to race as well.
Saturday's Homecoming activities continued through the evening with vendors, activities and music at the Point Park Amphitheatre. In a change from the traditional fireworks, Saturday closed with a Tribute to Local Heroes Laser Light Show at Point Park.
The Homecoming concludes today in and around Point Park and Second Street. Today's schedule of activities includes:
∫ 9 a.m.: Chess Tournament registration (Blennerhassett Hotel)
∫ 10 a.m.: G-Force Strength Unit (Point Park Amphitheatre)
∫ Noon to close: Vendors open
∫ 1 p.m.: High School Football Teams Hot Dog Eating Contest (Point Park Amphitheatre): Tiny Tot Trot and Junior Races (Parkersburg High School Stadium Field)
∫ 1 p.m. to close: Bingo
∫1:30 p.m.: High School Bands Donut Eating Contest (Point Park Amphitheatre)
∫ 2-6 p.m.: 18th Annual Johnny Staats Bluegrass Festival with special guests Robert Shafer and Bobby Taylor
∫ 6 p.m.: Southern Belles performance (Point Park Amphitheatre)
∫ 6:30 p.m.: Rubber Ducky Derby Drop on the River
∫7 p.m.: Mini Rubber Duck Drawing
∫ 7:30 p.m.: ZZ-KC (ZZ Top tribute) (ZZ Top Car on display 5-10 p.m.) (Point Park Amphitheatre)
Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com