(File Photo) Margaret Hoschar of the Voices Children Foundation performed “She’s Got You” by Patsy Cline during the Lip Sync Battle 2024 at the Parkersburg Actors Guild Theater. This year’s event is slated for March 22.

PARKERSBURG — Local celebrities will take the stage at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg on March 22 at 6 p.m. for the Lip Sync Battle 2025.

The event will feature eight acts of performances to well-known songs.

Lip Sync tickets are available now via the Guild website for $20.

“Our contestants are not musicians nor actors, so being onstage and performing artistically is a totally different way of viewing them,” said event spokesperson Sherry Wilson Braid. “It warms my heart to know they are up there solely to raise money for their chosen nonprofit and for the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. I love that part of this fundraiser; the Actors Guild shares the money raised with nonprofits in our community.”

Participants and their selected non-profits include:

(File Photo) The Stoked Baristas, including Emily Derenberger, Shelby Hesson, Carli Eakle, Alicia Bell, Crystal Shultz and Isabella Stephens perform “I’m A Believer” by the Monkees during the Lip Sync Battle 2024 at the Parkersburg Actors Guild Theater. This year’s event is slated for March 22.

* Torie Jackson and Olivia Reeder (West Virginia University at Parkersburg Foundation)

* Hayley Hatfield and Summer Jones (Humane Society)

* Linda Lawson, Bri Fordyce, Jennifer Morrison, Emily Niemi, and Shannon Goff (Wood County Society)

* Lyndsay Dennis, Jeff DeWitt, and Mary Smith (Artsbridge)

* Alexa Griffey (North Star Child Advocacy Center)

(File Photo) Vienna Police Chief Mike Pifer, then-Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp and Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce performed “Man of Constant Sorrow” from the movie “O’Brother, Where Art Thou?” during the Lip Sync Battle 2024 held at the Parkersburg Actors Guild Theater. This year’s event is slated for March 22.

* Harry and Kathe Deitzler, Mitch Bennett, and Ken Bosma (Family Crisis Intervention Center)

* Lisa McCray and Company (Habitat for Humanity of the MOV)

* Zak Huffman (Juliana Historic District)

First, second, and third place winners will receive $500, $300, and $200, for their chosen nonprofits.

In addition, donations can be made at the event for the People’s Choice Award. The winner will receive a $100 gift card to the Blennerhassett Hotel or restaurant.

One of the participants, Zak Huffman, is the Parkersburg City Councilman for District Five in downtown and is excited to experience the event with his daughter.

“When I heard about the lip sync battle I said, ‘Put me in and let’s raise some money,'” Huffman said.

Huffman will be performing the hit country song, “Shoulda Been a Cowboy” with his 11-year-old daughter.

He jokingly said “no comment” when asked if he had started rehearsing.

Torie Jackson is the president of WVUP and decided to participate after attending last year’s battle.

“We’re able to do this as a fundraiser for the WVU Parkersburg Foundation for our student emergency fund,” said Jackson. “And so the Vice President of Institutional Advancement Olivia Reeder will be doing it with me.”

They will be performing, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” by Barabara Mandrell.

“We believe that we’ll have a good time but also we’ll be able to raise awareness about the emergency needs that our students sometimes have.”

While the band Track 9 will return this year for pre-show entertainment beginning at 5 p.m., a new activity will occur post-battle intermission while the votes are counted.

Guild President Greg Merritt has written a Match Game skit and recruited actors to bring the beloved game show to the local stage.

Just like the TV classic, the Guild’s Match Game will feature contestants trying to match answers given by celebrity panelists to fill-in-the-blank questions.

Braid said the event helps fund extra expenses the Guild incurs, from sound equipment to set pieces.

“We also hope to use money raised at fundraisers to assist with repairs and remodeling at the Actors Guild,” she said.

Donations will make up half of the winning effort with the other half determined by a judging panel that includes Kiki Angelos, Joe Oliverio, and last year’s battle winner, Margaret Hoschar.

Concessions will include charcuterie plates, baklava, chips, cookies, and water; beer and wine by donation. Live voting via cash donation will only occur at the event in the Guild lobby.