Article Photos

PARKERSBURG - A variety of activities and events are taking shape to mark Parkersburg's Bicentennial during 2010 throughout the spring, summer and fall.

The Parkersburg Bicentennial Commission is continuing to work on ideas to mark the city's 200th anniversary, both standalone events and in cooperation and conjunction with existing events and organizations.

The bicentennial will celebrate the 200 years since Parkersburg was named. The town was settled in 1785 by Capt. James Neal, who was on a survey party after Alexander Parker, a Revolutionary War veteran, purchased 1,350 acres of land in 1783.

The settlement was called Newport until 1810 when the heirs of Parker acquired clear title to the land and renamed it Parkersburg.

The commission has received one submittal so far in its bicentennial logo contest and would like to see more before the deadline on Feb. 15. The contest is open to all residents and students of Wood County and a winner will be announced on March 1.

Contest rules and entry forms are available from the mayor's office. Among the rules are Parkersburg and Wood County artists only and one submission per artist; a maximum of three colors should be used, for printing purposes, and black is a color; the artwork should be a design that prints well on a variety of media, such as fabric, paper, glossy paper, plastics and other materials.

Commission members said they would like to see students get involved in the design contest. Providing more information to Wood County students about the city's history is one of the goals of the commission.

One of the early planned events will be a Bicentennial Ball scheduled for April 24 at the Blennerhassett Hotel, with ticket prices to be set later, said commission member Cecil Childress, general manager of the hotel.

Childress said he would anticipate using all of the public areas at the Blennerhassett, possibly including the restaurant area which is often operated separately during special events at the hotel. The ball will probably be semi-formal in nature, with tentative plans for volunteers to dress in period costume, although that would not be a requirement for guests.

"I think event-wise, this could go very well," Childress said of the plans for the ball.

The commission discussed plans for a bicentennial choir concert at City Park during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, possibly scheduled just before the annual fireworks show as a way to draw people to the park earlier. Smoot Theatre director Felice Jorgeson said she has been in contact with local musicians who have expressed excitement about the concert idea.

Organizers plan to approach local groups, churches and individuals to put together a vocal music program, with one theme under consideration being "200 Voices for 200 Years." If different groups get involved, each might be responsible for a three- or four-song segment of the show, with everyone coming together for a special finale.

The commission will be talking to the American Legion and others about ways to possibly expand and enhance the fireworks show.

Mayor Bob Newell, who appointed the commission and serves on it, said grant funds are being sought to help cover the costs of the display.

"I think enhancing the July Fourth fireworks will be a very good thing," he said.

The commission is making plans for a chili and beer festival in the commons area between the parking garage and the Dils Center on Oct. 9. The event will coincide with a scheduled concert at the Smoot Theatre next door and organizers are working to combine all of the activities into a single attraction.

The bicentennial commission meets every two weeks at different locations, with the next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Blennerhassett Hotel.