At Downtown PKB, September means the Downtown Throwdown and we are excited to be hosting the event again this year. The event will take place on Sept. 16 at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg with the gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the gate the day of the event for $25 or in advance for $20. Advance tickets can be purchased in person at The Blennerhassett Hotel, 320 Market St., or online by going to our website at downtownpkb.com (link is in the announcement bar at the top of the page).

We have a fabulous entertainment lineup planned. From 6 to 6:45 p.m. Moon King will be playing along with Rich Wilson on harmonica and Brayden Roux on Mandolin. Moon King is a 19-year-old Parkersburg native. His refined rasp vocals and foot-stomping blues-rock have earned him the 2023 winner of WVUP’s Got Talent, winner of Chris McGraw’s MOV vocal competition, is a preferred performer for WV State Parks and Tourism and recently appeared on PBS WoodSongs Kentucky. From 6:45 to 7 p.m. there will be a brief break. From 7 p.m. until the end of the event at 10 p.m., the Jake Binegar Band will take the stage. Jake Binegar is a country music singer and songwriter from the Mid-Ohio Valley. He is a breath of fresh air to the country music world with his smooth vocals and authentic story-telling lyrics. He is known for his high-energy performances and ability to connect with his audience.

In addition to live music, the WVU vs Pitt game will be streamed at the event. You don’t have to choose between the game and the Throwdown, you can do both. A tent with a screen will be set up in the Wood County parking lot located right beside the event’s main gate. The volume will be turned down so as not to interfere with the live music.

Another enticing aspect for participants will be the lineup of eight eateries in attendance. There will be a delicious sampling of BBQ and non-BBQ food items from D’Paulo’s Pizzeria, Hangry’s Food Truck & Catering, JP Henry’s, Pappy’s Lip Smackin’ BBQ, Parkersburg Brewing Company, The Blennerhassett Restaurant & Lounge, The Cocktail Bar, and The Little Stirr. Food vendors will serve food samples until 9:30 p.m. and will accept card and/or cash.

A big draw of the event is the variety of drinks available. Domestic and craft beer will be served from Mountain State, Capitol, and Spriggs distributors. A small selection of wine will also be available to purchase by the glass at the concession stand under the main tent. Drinks will be served until 9:45 p.m. and can only be purchased with cash. Participants are encouraged to bring cash with them, but if needed, ATMs are located close by at The Blennerhassett Hotel, WesBanco Bank, and Huntington Bank.

All event details for the evening will be available at your fingertips. Posters will be displayed around the event with QR codes. Click on the QR code with your phone, and it will take you to the Downtown Throwdown page on the Downtown PKB website.

We are so thankful to the 100+ volunteers who will donate their time to this event to make it a success. Their enormous efforts do not go unnoticed. We appreciate each of you! We are also thankful to our generous sponsors for supporting this event. We are thrilled to have so many community businesses and organizations endorse this event and want to be a part of what we are doing. Many thanks for our Title Sponsor Biztec; Volunteer Sponsor Huntington Bank; Platinum Sponsors Celanese, Grogg’s Home Services, Legacy Real Estate Professionals, One Community Federal Credit Union, The Basement Doctor, and WesBanco; Gold Sponsors Maka Mia Pizza (Vienna location), MEPB, The PM Company, United Bank, and WVU Medicine Camden Clark; Silver Sponsors CSL Plasma, Mid-Ohio Valley Employment, Mountain State Oral & Facial Surgery, Silverheels, and Williamstown Bank; In-kind Sponsors CAS Cable, City of Parkersburg, Greater Parkersburg CVB, Pepsi, Results Radio, V96.9, and Wood County Commissioners; and

Corporate Volunteer Sponsors Community Bank, First Mutual Bank, Parkersburg Rotary, United Bank, and Williamstown Bank.

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Jessica Strickler is the events and marketing manager for Downtown PKB.