* This year’s Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon and Two-Mile Race included 172 more participants than it had the year before. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities headed downtown to take part in an event that brings volunteers and supporting partners from all corners of the community. “It’s a cross section of the population and a cross section of our communities,” said longtime race director Art Smith. “It really has nothing to do with whether you can stay fit or not. It’s just a great community event.” Congratulations and thank you to all those who participated or helped make the event such a huge success. Here’s to even more growth next year.

* While Parkersburg was hosting road races and its homecoming parade and activities, the Waterford Community Fair was celebrating nearly 60 years of festivities. Fair board Vice President Doug McCutcheon estimated 10,000 people may have visited the fair on one day alone. With livestock sales, parades, family-friendly activities and, of course, fair food aplenty, who could blame them? “It’s all about getting the community back together,” McCutcheon said. “A lot of people get to visit people they never see. It’s for family, for the kids. There are a lot of memories made here.” Memories, traditions, and a reminder that those in the Waterford community have looked forward to the fair for generations, all with “not too many hiccups for the number of people showing up,” according to McCutcheon. Thank you for those on the fair board and its volunteers and partners for making it happen.