PARKERSBURG -Despite the heat and humidity, the 27th annual Parkersburg Homecoming kicked off three days of fun and music for the Mid-Ohio Valley on Friday.
Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell said this year's Homecoming, held in conjunction with the city's bicentennial, will feature a fireworks display with additional funding from the Bicentennial Committee.
Jeff Bumgard, vice president of the Parkersburg Homecoming, said this year's Homecoming will feature 23 food vendors and 40 arts and crafts and commercial exhibitors.
Many of those who gathered downtown said they came not for a particular event but for the Homecoming as a whole
Carolyn and David Whited of Parkersburg said they come to be a part of the Homecoming every year.
"We just came for the music and to see what is going on down here," Carolyn Whited said.
Fact Box
Saturday
8 a.m. - Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon (Juliana Street)
8:10 a.m. - Parkersburg News and Sentinel Two-Mile Race (Juliana Street)
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Parkersburg Homecoming Car Show (City Park)
9:45 a.m. - Parkersburg News and Sentinel Two-Mile Race Awards Presentations (Bicentennial Park)
10 a.m. - Mid-Ohio Valley Model Model Railroad Club (610 Green St.)
11:15 a.m. - Cornhole Doubles Tournament, open doubles (Lot behind Judicial Building)
Noon - Parkersburg Homecoming Parade (Market Street)
1 p.m. - Kid's Fest Coloring Contest (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
1:30 p.m. - Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon Awards Presentations (Smoot Theatre)
2 p.m. - Talent Show (Suddenlink Stage); American Red Cross Car Show (Matheny's Used Car Lot)
2:30 p.m. - Kid's Fest Dog Show (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
3 p.m. - Beach Wrestling Tournament (Southwood Park); Fairlawn Baptist Church Puppet Team (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
4 p.m. - Kid's Fest Pretty Baby Contest (Bicentennial Park Home Stage)
5 p.m. - Plan B at Red Cross Car Show (Matheny's Used Car Lot)
6 p.m. - Fairlawn Baptist Church Puppet Team (Bicentennial Park Home Stage); Tae Kwon Do demonstration (Second and Juliana streets)
7 p.m. - South of the River (Suddenlink Stage); Square and line dancing (Juliana Street)
8:30 p.m. - Hip Pocket (Suddenlink Stage)
10 p.m. - Skyshow 2010 Fireworks
Sunday
10 a.m. - Mid-Ohio Valley Model Railroad Club (610 Greet St.); Mid-Ohio Valley Chess Club Tournament (Parkersburg Municipal Building); Cornhole Singles Tournament
10:30 a.m. - North Parkersburg Baptist Church services (Suddenlink Stage)
1 p.m. - Tiny Tot Trot and Junior Races (Parkersburg High School Stadium); Soapbox Derby (Seventh and Market streets)
1 to 5 p.m. - Johnny Staats Bluegrass Festival
1:15 p.m. - Cornhole Singles Tournament, open singles (Lot behind Judicial Building)
3 p.m. - Waiter and Waitress Challenge (Juliana Street)
5 p.m. - Rubber Ducky Derby
6:30 p.m. - FOP Harley Davidson drawing (Suddenlink Stage)
7 p.m. - Denzon and The Road Doggz (Suddenlink Stage)
8 p.m. - Grand Funk Railroad (Suddenlink Stage)
A large crowd gathered at the main stage for the state finals of the 29th annual Colgate Country Showdown.
The national country music talent search holds local, state and regional shows which lead up to a national competition in Nashville.
The showdown was won by Rocky Hebb of Buckhannon, W.Va., who walked away with a check for $1,000 and will advance to the regional showcase in October.
"I've been playing and singing since I was 12 years old, and this is my second time performing at the showdown," said 33-year-old Hebb. "It's a great experience."
