Parkersburg ready for Paddlefest, Downtown Throwdown and Riverfest
Kayakers assemble for Paddlefest in September 2016. This year’s Paddlefest will be held the weekend of Sept. 16-18. (File Photo)
Lubeck resident Terri Fleak and her daughters, Abrianna, 4, and Addy, 1, walk through Point Park during Riverfest in 2019 at Point Park. Riverfest is Sept. 16-17. (File Photo)
People gather for beer, barbecue and music at Bicentennial Park for the September 2018 Downtown Throwdown BBQ and Beerfest in downtown Parkersburg. This year’s event is Sept. 17. (File Photo)
Kayakers assemble for Paddlefest in September 2016. This year’s Paddlefest will be held the weekend of Sept. 16-18. (File Photo)
Lubeck resident Terri Fleak and her daughters, Abrianna, 4, and Addy, 1, walk through Point Park during Riverfest in 2019 at Point Park. Riverfest is Sept. 16-17. (File Photo)
People gather for beer, barbecue and music at Bicentennial Park for the September 2018 Downtown Throwdown BBQ and Beerfest in downtown Parkersburg. This year’s event is Sept. 17. (File Photo)
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PARKERSBURG -- Paddlefest, Downtown Throwdown and Riverfest will be held in Parkersburg the weekend of Sept. 16-18.
Paddlefest is a three-day festival dedicated to people-powered watercraft including kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards.
"Paddlefest is one of the region's most unique events featuring live music, food trucks and paddling on the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers and North Bend State Park Lake," said Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting travel, events and meetings.
Paddlefest weekend kicks off 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, with music and food followed by a lighted paddle up the Little Kanawha River from Point Park at 8 p.m. with glow sticks and lights, Lewis said.
The main event of Paddlefest will take place on from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, with a 3-mile paddle on the Ohio River from Point Park downriver to Blennerhassett Island and back.
"Commercial traffic will be restricted on the Ohio River during the Saturday paddle with safety watercraft on hand," Lewis said.
Paddlefest participants will be welcomed to the island by staff and volunteers of the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. Tours of the Blennerhassett Mansion, horse-drawn wagon rides and other activities will be available on the island for an additional fee.
Paddlefest concludes on Sunday, Sept. 18, with a paddling excursion on the North Bend State Park Lake starting at 11 a.m. Kayak rentals will be available through the Marietta Adventure Co., Human Hydro Outfitters and Wild River Kayak Co.
The Downtown Throwdown BBQ and Brewfest, Parkersburg's premier downtown fall event, takes place 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, in Bicentennial Park.
Brewfest features several West Virginia craft beers, along with BBQ and other food selections from a variety of vendors along with live music. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children under 12 are free. Soft drinks and water will also be available.
Parkersburg Riverfest, Sept. 16-17, features iconic sternwheeler river boats along the Ohio River at Point Park. Riverfest is open to the public and also features live entertainment and activities.