(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — America’s birthday will be celebrated around the Mid-Ohio Valley on July 4 with fireworks, fellowship and food.

* The annual American Legion Post 15 Carnival in City Park in Parkersburg will be on hold this year due to construction in the park, post officials said.

The City of Parkersburg will launch fireworks from Fort Boreman Park overlooking downtown Parkersburg at 10 p.m. Friday, July 4.

* The annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration is set for 10 a.m. July 4 in downtown Marietta.

The event is organized by AMVETS Post 1788 and will begin with lineup at 10 a.m. at Fourth and Hart streets, with all units welcome. The parade route will follow Fourth, Putnam and Front streets, ending at Armory Square where a ceremony will be held.

Following the parade, there will be a free picnic at Gold Star Park (the former Lookout Park) on Lancaster Street. The picnic is a gift to the community from members of AMVETS Post 1788, Marietta Elks Lodge and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 52. There will be live music by Billy Reiter, free hamburgers, hot dogs and corn on the cob, cold beverages and popsicles. The Elks Lodge Youth Group, ANTLERS, will provide games for children with various prizes.

Anyone interested in volunteering to help with setup on Thursday, make a donation or help tear down and clean up may contact Bruce Edward Haas at 740-629-1277.

There will be shuttle service available, immediately following the post-parade speech and ceremony, from the parade area at the Armory in downtown Marietta up to the park picnic and back.

* In Beverly, the pancake breakfast at the Beverly Fire Station will be 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 4. The annual community fireworks display in Beverly will be presented at Cadet Field at Fort Frye High School, sponsored by American Legion Post 389, at 10 p.m. that day.

* Ripley’s Fourth of July festivities will be Monday through Saturday.

Monday and Tuesday will feature the carnival from 5-10 p.m.

Wednesday’s activities will include the carnival from 5-10 p.m.; Constellium Bicycle Parade at 6 p.m.; Dancing in the Street with DJ Donnie Allen following the parade; Community Band at 6:30 p.m.; and Charleston Metro Band at 8 p.m.

Thursday’s activities will include the carnival from 5-10 p.m.; Ripley’s Top American Mullet at 5 p.m.; Watermelon Eating Contest at 6 p.m.; Class Act at 6 p.m.; Chris Perdue at 6 p.m.; and Rewind the Walkman at 8 p.m.

The activities for Friday, July 4, include Calvary Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m.; Little Patriot Hour at 9 a.m.; opening ceremony at 10 a.m.; Firecracker Race at 11:30 a.m.; parade at noon; carnival from 1-5 and 6-10 p.m.; Talent Show at 2 p.m.; Grace Campbell at 4 p.m.; Dwight Icenhower & The Promised Land at 6 p.m.; hot air balloon rides from 7-10 p.m.; Bucky Covington at 8 p.m.; and fireworks at 10 p.m.

The festivities will end Saturday with a U-Turn concert.

* The tradition of Arts in the Park on July 4 will continue in 2025 at Bruce Park in New Martinsville. The festivities will last from 1-4 p.m. under the sponsorship of the New Martinsville Parks & Recreation Commission and ArtsLink.

Carman Harman will serve again as master of ceremonies. Arts and crafts demonstrations, along with exhibits by artists and craftspeople from Wetzel and Tyler counties in West Virginia and Monroe County, Ohio, will be featured. There will also be music, treats and activities.

ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible. Persons with special needs, or anyone seeking more information, may contact ArtsLink at 304-455-2278.

* Also being held in Jackson County, the annual Mountain State Art and Craft Fair will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from July 3-5 at Cedar Lakes Conference Center near Ripley. The event features artisans, crafters, food, entertainment, heritage displays and other attractions.