Business

Parkersburg Homecoming out of debt in 2021

PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Homecoming Festival got its financial head above water in 2021.

Homecoming Vice President Chuck Lipps told members of Parkersburg City Council last week that the committee paid off the festival's debts earlier this year. He credited the leadership of Homecoming President Woody Miller, a longtime volunteer who passed away in October.

"Woody served as president for the past three years, and he brought Homecoming back to life," Lipps said.

This year's festival was a two-day affair that featured West Virginia Music Hall of Famer Kathy Mattea and other Mountain State musicians. Lipps said the Rubber Ducky Derby turned a $13,000 profit, even after paying for the grand prize, a 2021 Kia Rio.

Homecoming was $45,000 in debt as of late 2019. Being forced to take a year off in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed organizers to continue fundraising and planning for this year's event, Lipps said.

During the Oct. 26 council meeting, Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl praised Miller's dedication to the event and asked Lipps if the board intended to go forward with some plans Miller had discussed with her, though she didn't divulge specifics.

"If you guys succeed in that, Homecoming is going to be back," Kuhl said.

"I promise you we will carry on," Lipps said.

Lipps thanked the city for its support of the event through employees' efforts, as well as financing the fireworks display.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.