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Mid-Ohio Valley summer activities heat up just in time for this weekend

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The Mid-Ohio Valley is set for a lively weekend full of summer spirit, family-friendly activities, and Father’s Day celebrations.

From yard sales and petting zoos to historic tours, rock concerts, and river cruises, there’s something for everyone on both sides of the Ohio River.

Saturday will feature a full slate of community fun. It is also Flag Day.

The festivities begin bright and early at 8 a.m. with a Mystery Picnic Lunch Cruise aboard the Major Riviera at the Valley Gem, where guests receive a hand-prepared picnic basket to enjoy while sailing down the river.

At 9 a.m., Point Park in Parkersburg hosts the Father’s Day Run to End Polio, a 5K run/walk supporting Rotary’s global mission to end the disease. Awards will be given to top finishers, and early registrants receive commemorative shirts.

Marietta’s Fearing House opens its yard for a community yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering hot dogs, drinks, and neighborly shopping.

The Toy and Doll Museum will also hold a sale just down the street.

For those looking to move in a new way, Intro to Aerial Yoga with Shannon takes place at 10:15 a.m. at the Amputee Center in Parkersburg, offering beginner-friendly aerial yoga in a supportive environment.

Families can meet goats, pigs, ducks, and more at Gab and the Goats Petting Zoo from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Marietta Public Library, while Muskingum Park hosts Community Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free food, games, and resource booths.

Veterans and their families are invited to the Summer Salute for Veterans at Spencer Park in Vienna from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring live music, food trucks, and activities honoring military service.

At 1 p.m., history buffs can join the Ancient Earthworks Walking Tour beginning at the Marietta Library to explore the area’s ancient mounds and Revolutionary-era landmarks. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for kids under 12.

Saturday night offers live entertainment on both stage and soundstage. At 8 p.m., King Falcon brings New York alternative rock to the Adelphia Music Hall in Marietta. Meanwhile, the Actors Guild of Parkersburg performs the comedy “Lend Me a Soprano,” a backstage opera farce full of mistaken identities and dramatic flair.

At 10 a.m., the Marietta National Guard Armory will hold a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the U. S. Army, hosted by the Marietta Chapter Sons of the American Revolution to mark the 250th Commemoration of the Continental Army. Historian and Executive Director of the Washington County Veterans Service Commission Darren Shearlock will lead a program about events from the French and Indian War to the “13 Colonies & the Continental Congress Declaring War with the King as they Commissioned a Continental Army.” There will also be a Flag Day awards ceremony. The public is invited, free of charge.

Sunday will also feature a variety of activities, with Father’s Day events taking center stage with something for every dad.

From 1 to 3 p.m., treat Dad to a Father’s Day Cruise and Buffet aboard the Valley Gem Sternwheeler. Guests will enjoy a Captain’s Buffet while cruising the Ohio River. Both the Valley Gem and Major Riviera will be sailing. Reservations are required and can be made at valleygemsternwheeler.com.

The Guild returns with a 2:30 p.m. matinee of “Lend Me a Soprano,” giving theatergoers another chance to enjoy the 1930s-set comedic opera mishap.

Rounding out the weekend, Sunny Bleau and The Moons perform at 6 p.m. at the West Virginia Polo Club in Parkersburg, bringing blues and blues rock to the stage. All dads enjoy free admission for this special Father’s Day concert.

On Tuesday at 7 p.m. there will be a program at the Start Westward Monument in Marietta to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill.

The Marietta Chapter Sons of the American Revolution hosting the event about the early pivotal battle against the British army that was occupying Boston. Chapter Historian Scott Britton will discuss details of the battle where many of the patriots mistakenly defended the wrong hill against multiple attacks, but still inflicted heavy losses upon the Redcoats.

Visitors will also learn some of the local connections to soldiers who fought there, including Marietta mayor Nahum Ward (grandson of overall American commander Artemus Ward); Col. Israel Putnam, who settled with his family in Belpre, was the son of the commander who gave the famous order “Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes.”

Many other local soldiers and descendants of those who fought there include James Mitchell Varnum, Robert Bradford, William Dana, Robert Oliver, Peter Howe (of Belpre), Jonathan Heart (Ft. Harmar builder and Marietta Masonic Lodge founder), John Brown Jr. of Lowell (wounded), William Dawes, and more.

Two days later, on June 19, 1775, George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief.

The public is invited free of charge.

The two Sons events are sponsored by the Marietta Chapters; Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution; with support from Washington County Veterans Service Office; Washington County Public Library; Marietta Chapter 743, Military Order of the Purple Heart; Ronnie W. Davis Memorial Post 5108; Beverly Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3665; and Settlers Bank.

For information visit www.mariettasar.com or call 740-336-8060

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