PARKERSBURG - Rock band .38 Special will headline Parkersburg's 2009 Homecoming celebration.
The band, best known for its 1981 hit "Hold on Loosely," will perform at 8 p.m. Aug. 23 on center stage in downtown Parkersburg.
Officials with the homecoming board said this year's entertainment is sponsored by Suddenlink Communications. The main stage will be renamed the Suddenlink Stage for this year's activities.
"Without their help, we wouldn't have been able to go forward with this," said board member Chuck Lipps.
Suddenlink's sponsorship also has helped the cash-strapped homecoming event to bring back several other events, such as square dancing and a bed race.
"Things are looking good for homecoming this year," said homecoming board President Randall Roberts.
Featured at Bicentennial Park will be concerts by classic-rock band Retroflection at 10 p.m. Aug. 21, 14-year-old vocalist Brandon Stover at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 and the eighth annual Johnny Staats Bluegrass Festival all day Aug 23.
At the Suddenlink Stage in downtown Parkersburg will be country artist Justin Moore at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 21, The Steve Hussey Band at 8:30 p.m. and gospel singer Taj Rohr at 10:30 p.m. Aug. 22, and a classic-rock band yet to be named opening for .38 Special at 7 p.m. Aug. 23.
Other events, such as Saturday's Kids Fest activities, annual talent show and evening fireworks display also will return this year.
Roberts said the most important aspect of this year's celebration will be the Rubber Ducky Derby, the main fundraising effort for the Homecoming board.
"That is key to making homecoming good for the year," he said.
Officials said they had high hopes for all of the events.
"I think this is going to be one of our best homecomings in years," Lipps said.
