Riverfront Roar sends ripples of excitement through Marietta
People sat in the grass under the Williamstown Bridge and watched the boats make their turns during the 21st Annual Riverfront Roar Saturday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Boats run the course on the Ohio River Saturday during the 21st Annual Riverfront Roar as spectators gather around to watch the action. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Three boats make their way around the upstream course marker during a race at Riverfront Roar in Marietta Sunday. The three-day event took place in the Ohio River near the levee. (Photo by Art Smith)
Spectators line the retaining wall above the River Trail to watch the boats race on the nearby Ohio River. (Photo by Art Smith)
People sat in the grass under the Williamstown Bridge and watched the boats make their turns during the 21st Annual Riverfront Roar Saturday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Boats run the course on the Ohio River Saturday during the 21st Annual Riverfront Roar as spectators gather around to watch the action. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Three boats make their way around the upstream course marker during a race at Riverfront Roar in Marietta Sunday. The three-day event took place in the Ohio River near the levee. (Photo by Art Smith)
Spectators line the retaining wall above the River Trail to watch the boats race on the nearby Ohio River. (Photo by Art Smith)
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MARIETTA -- People lined the banks of the Ohio River Saturday as the 21st Annual Riverfront Roar was in full swing.
"We have people watching on the shore, we have people watching from the Lafayette Hotel, we have people watching from their condos, we have people watching from their porches, and we have people watching from their boats. It's great," said Rick Smith, Riverfront Roar chairman.
The event kicked off its festivities Friday night, coinciding with downtown Marietta's First Friday celebration for July, with Art Walk vendors on Front Street, drivers arriving, and music at the beer garden.
Saturday activities kicked off with street vendors opening at 11 a.m., races beginning at 1 p.m. and ending at 5 p.m., with music starting at 6p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
"Last year we had 32,800 (people), we anticipate between 35 and 40,000 people through the weekend this year," Smith said. "The biggest crowd will be at the fireworks tonight. So there will probably be 15,000 people down here tonight, maybe more."
Smith said the fireworks would be ignited on the banks of the Williamstown side of the river with the fireworks going off over the water.
Smith said there was only one accident on the water involving a driver that he was aware of.
"Apparently a boat flipped over and he was able to get out right away," Smith said. "And that's why the boat racers do the safety drills. We want safe events."
The lineup for Sunday included a car show at the Armory on Front St, racing from 1-4 p.m. and a trophy ceremony afterwards.
"I really like how this event supports the area hotels, the area businesses, especially on a First Friday in downtown Marietta," Smith said. "That's what this event is here to do. Its here to drive tourism to the city, it's here to support our vendors, and our brick and mortars at the same time, and we look forward to hopefully having it again in future years."
Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com