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PARKERSBURG — Curiosity has swirled around an event called Parkersburg Fest, scheduled for Friday at City Park, after claims about giveaways, financial aid and free supplies sparked a flood of inquiries to city officials and a myriad of social media posts seeking more information.

Hosted by Good News Ministries International, the event will feature hundreds of giveaways, including 500 backpacks with school supplies, gaming systems, gift cards, cash to help with bills, outdoor equipment, and other items, an organizer said.

“We’re just trying to come and help people and help families… we just want to create a night of hope,” said event organizer Steven Hurlburt, a Florida native who has lived in West Virginia for the past decade. “Seeing a child light up with a new backpack or a family relieved by help with bills, that’s what makes it all worth it.”

In a Facebook post, Good News Ministries International described its mission as spiritual and service-driven.

“We’re attempting to do something BIG for the Lord! We’re going after the unreached, the marginalized, the lost — and God is faithful,” the post said.

With community members asking questions online and by phone, the city issued a formal statement this week explaining that it cannot verify promotional claims related to prize values, registration procedures or distribution methods.

“For the past two weeks, the city has been receiving dozens of calls daily across multiple departments about the claims of all the giveaways,” Mayor Tom Joyce said in a separate message. “They had made reservations for use of the park like dozens of other organizations do… the city had no other knowledge, experience or information as to the rules of registration or eligibility.”

An organizer on Wednesday said the event is legitimate and urged families from all over the Mid-Ohio Valley to attend.

Many of the prizes have been made possible through anonymous local sponsors, who organizers say wanted to give back without recognition.

Event registration begins at 4 p.m., and all attendees will be entered into drawings for the prizes once registered. The main program starts at 6 p.m. and will include live stage entertainment, T-shirt cannons, games for all ages and food trucks — some offering items for free and others available for purchase.

“We want to see families encouraged and better prepared for the school year,” Hurlburt said. “We want people to know they are not forgotten — that there are people who care.”

Hurlburt, who leads similar events across the country, said the idea for Parkersburg Fest came after local business leaders reached out.

“This all started because a few businessmen in Parkersburg wanted to give back,” he said. “They heard about the events we’ve done nationwide and believed something similar could help their community.”

More information and event updates are available on the Parkersburg Fest Facebook page.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.