PARKERSBURG - Three special programs are being offered involving Saturday night's annual Parkersburg Homecoming Festival fireworks display.
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will offer two programs - one a sternwheeler cruise and the other a night-time visit to Blennerhassett Island - for people interested in viewing the popular fireworks display from a new perspective.
The Valley Gem Sternwheeler in Marietta will also be offering a fireworks cruise, with participants boarding in Marietta and cruising to Parkersburg to view the display.
The Blennerhassett Island Fireworks Cruise will be offered Saturday. Participants will watch the display from aboard the sternwheeler Island Belle. The cost is $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-12.
The boat will depart from Civitan Park in Belpre, Ohio. Boarding begins at 8:15 p.m. and the sternwheeler will depart at 8:30 p.m. Passengers will cruise along the Ohio River, enjoy the sunset over Blennerhassett Island and finish the evening by watching the fireworks. Passengers will disembark between 10:30 and 11 p.m. at Civitan Park.
Park officials will also be offering the Blennerhassett Island Family Fireworks Adventure on Friday. The program will allow participants to watch the fireworks display from Blennerhassett Island. The island's snack stand, gift shop and restrooms will be open all evening.
The cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. Boarding will be at 7:45 p.m. on the Island Belle at Civitan Park, with the boat leaving for the island at 8 p.m. The sternwheeler will take passengers back to Civitan Park following the fireworks around 11 p.m.
Reservations are required for both cruises and can be made by calling the Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History at 304-420-4800 or visiting the museum at 137 Juliana St. in downtown Parkersburg. Information is also available online at www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com.
The Valley Gem Sternwheeler's annual Parkersburg Homecoming Fireworks Cruise will be 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday, offering visitors another chance to view the fireworks from the Ohio River. The cost is $44.98 for adults and $43.98 for seniors.
For reservations, contact (740) 373-7862 or go online to www.valleygemsternwheeler.com.
