With summer more than halfway completed, take advantage of several remaining free and low-cost entertainment options available in the Greater Parkersburg area.
Catch a break from the summer heat and cool down in the evening with a musical performance. Each Thursday through the month of August, the City Park Band Shell features musical guests with a variety of genres from bluegrass to southern rock music. Don’t miss this free concert starting at 7 p.m. July 25, August, 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29.
Join the Actors Guild of Parkersburg as they perform one of their most comical shows yet with Avenue Q! This gut-busting hilarious modern musical focuses on a group of 20-somethings making their way in the big city, seeking their purpose in life. Filled with puppets, monsters, and humorous adult issues, it promises to be something for the whole family. The show will be held at the Actors Guild Playhouse on July 26, 27, August 2, 3, 9 & 10 with all shows beginning at 8 p.m. and a special matinee performance on August 4 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students.
Starting in August, the Greater Parkersburg area hosts a variety of festivals for everyone to enjoy. Bring the kids up to the Ohio River Museum in Marietta for the Inland Waterways Festival. This free, educational event commemorates and continues the importance of rivers, canals, and lakes in the development of the nation. Performers, storytellers, hands-on activities, model boat demonstrations, steam launch rides, wildlife displays, and a 2,200 gallon freshwater aquarium are sure to marvel audiences. The Inland Waterways Festival will be held on August 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and August 4 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Don’t miss out on one of city’s biggest summertime events, the 31st annual Parkersburg Homecoming Festival. This year the folk rock band AMERICA will be the headlining along with other musical acts to perform over the weekend. In addition to national entertainment, there will be land and water events, fireworks, carnival rides, arts and crafts, a flea market, petting zoo and the Parkersburg News & Sentinel half marathon early Saturday morning. The festival will take place August 16-18 and admission is free.
For those interested in the smooth stylings of jazz, then Vienna Jazz Festival is the place for you. This all-day outdoor concert is sponsored by the History of Chocolate Jazz Foundation to save music programs in school systems across the country by conducting fundraising opportunities in local area school districts. This event is August 24 with music starting at 12 p.m. and going until 10 p.m. Admission is $15 and goes to support music education in West Virginia schools.
Rounding out the festival season is the West Virginia State Honey Festival. From great food and entertainment, to many honey crafters, as well as the continued education of honey and the honey bee, the West Virginia State Honey Festival offers a little something for everyone. The West Virginia State Honey Festival will take place August 24 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and August 25 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for students.
From live entertainment to an abundance of festivals, the Greater Parkersburg area has you covered for your entire end of summer activities.
To learn more about the Greater Parkersburg CVB, visit www.GreaterParkersburg.com or call 304-428-1130.
