Erica and Veronica Skunza of Marietta sit along Putnam Street to watch the 2025 Marietta Independence Day Parade. (File photo)

PARKERSBURG – Independence Day is always festively celebrated in the Mid-Ohio Valley, but observances here and around the country will rise to another level as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Here’s a look at what’s planned:

Thursday

Beverly

* 5:30 p.m. – B&W Homecoming Parade steps off from Waterford Elementary, traveling along Ohio 339 to Ohio 60 (Main Street) and on to Dodge Park, where Homecoming festivities will take place through Saturday.

Vehicles make their way along Putnam Street during Marietta's 2025 Independence Day parade. (File photo)

* 6:30 p.m. – Rides and games at Dodge Park, no entry fee.

* 7-10 p.m. – Live music by Sam Clark and Friends.

Marietta

* 7 p.m. – “Our American Founding,” presented by Kevin Ritter: Nullification, the Northwest Ordinance, the Federalist Era; free entry; Celebration Center, 822 Front St., Marietta.

Ripley

* 6 p.m. – Constellium Bicycle Parade (North Street)

* 6:30 p.m. (immediately following Bicycle Parade) – Dancing in the Street, North Court Street

* 6:30 p.m. – Community Band (Courthouse)

* 8 p.m. – Charleston Metro Band (Courthouse)

Friday

Beverly

* 6 p.m. – B&W Homecoming continues at Dodge Park with Garden Tractor Pulls. Registration opens at 5 p.m.

* 7-10 p.m. – Live music by the Matt Hansell Band.

Parkersburg

* 5:30 p.m. – Family Movie Night: “The Sandlot,” Discovery World on Market, 900 Market St. Concessions (hot dogs, popcorn, cracker jacks and drinks) will be sold at the movie by Discovery World. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

* 8-10 p.m. – Performance of “1776” by The Actors Guild of Parkersburg, Bicentennial Park on Third Street. Twenty-four actors will be in full period costume. Limited seating will be provided, so participants are encouraged to bring a chair. (Rain venue: Center on Market, Wood County Resiliency Center, 328 Second St., Parkersburg)

* 8-10 p.m. – Food trucks will be set up in Bicentennial Park.

Ripley

* 6 p.m. – Class Act (RHS Alumni, Friends & Family Reunion – Courthouse lawn)

* 6 p.m. – Sycamore Creek Groove Monkeys (Constellium Stage, Courthouse)

* 8 p.m. – NonFriction (Constellium Stage, Courthouse)

Saturday

Beverly

* Noon – Dodge Park opens as B&W Homecoming continues. Activities include the Best Pie in Town Contest at noon and free rides from noon to 2 p.m.

* 1 p.m. – King of the Asphalt Tractor Pull.

* 4 p.m. – Hot Dog Eating Contest

* 5-8:30 p.m. – Live music with Jesse Lang and Friends

* 8:30 p.m. – Big Raffle

* Dark, around 9:30 p.m. – Fireworks behind Fort Frye High School.

Marietta

* 10 a.m. – America 250 Parade, from Fourth and Ohio streets to the Washington County Fairgrounds, lineup begins at 9.

* After the parade, until 2 p.m. – Community picnic at the fairgrounds.

Parkersburg

* Noon to 12:30 p.m. Celebration Ceremony, Bicentennial Park. Activities include the firing of a cannon from Fort Boreman Park, the arrival of the Declaration of Independence by horseback, the reading of the Declaration of Independence by actors portraying John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson and the signing of the Declaration by all in attendance.

* Noon to 4 p.m. – Wendy’s Independence Cruise-In, Wood County Justice Center Parking Lot, 401 Second St. Registration is by donation the day of the event. All makes, models and vehicles welcome. Participants will receive a T-shirt and be eligible to win door prizes and plaques. (Rain date is July 11.)

* Noon to 10 p.m. – Food trucks set up at Bicentennial Park.

* 12:30 p.m. – Bells will ring at various locations across the city in celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

* 1-4 p.m. – A live DJ will be set up from 1-4 p.m. near the car show and at Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg.

* 4-6:30 p.m. – Parkersburg Brewery JamFest, 4-6:30 p.m., Bicentennial Park. People are invited to bring their instrument, their voice – or simply come and listen. Participants can stop by the Parkersburg Brewing Company (707 Market St.) to sign up.

* 7-9:45 p.m. – Live Music, Bicentennial Park, Parkersburg. Luke Colombo, a 17-year-old singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist from Parkersburg who appeared as a contestant on “American Idol” Season 24 will perform from 7-8:15 p.m., followed by River City Rodeo Band, a Parkersburg-based country and southern rock group from 8:30 to 9:45.

* 10 p.m. – Fireworks launched from Fort Boreman.

Ripley

* 7 a.m. – Calvary Pancake Breakfast

* 9 a.m. – Little Patriot Hour (Courthouse)

* 10 a.m. – Opening Ceremony (Courthouse)

* 11:30 a.m. – Race sponsored by Main Street

* Noon – Grand Parade sponsored by Sheetz (Ripley High School to Sheetz)

* 2 p.m. – Talent Show (Constellium Stage, Courthouse)

* 2-8 p.m. – Inflatables (Court Street)

* 4 p.m. – Johnny Staats Project (Constellium Stage, Courthouse)

* 6 p.m. – Bucky Covington (Constellium Stage, Courthouse)

* 7-10 p.m. – Hot Air Balloon Rides (Starcher Mansion)

* 8 p.m. – Daryl Worley (Constellium Stage, Courthouse)

* 10 p.m. – Fireworks

Sunday

Marietta

* 3-5 p.m. – Red, White and Blue American Extravaganza, Marietta Symphony Orchestra, Peoples Bank Theatre, featuring a selection of American classes, including iconic marches by John Phillip Sousa and the “1812 Overture.”

Ripley

* U-Turn Concert (TBA)

Monday

Belpre

* 5-8 p.m. – Community Picnic for America’s 250th Birthday, Howes Grove Park. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, watermelon, ice cream and apple fry pies. Music by the Music Factory, a petting zoo and children’s activities provided by Artsbridge. Parking at the City Building, Senior Center, the water department and other available areas will be marked.