(Photo by Amber Phipps) Sternwheelers line the banks of Point Park in Parkersburg on Monday after arriving from the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival in Marietta.

PARKERSBURG — A variety of watercraft will be in the water at Point Park this weekend.

Hosted by Wild River Kayak Co., the Parkersburg Paddlefest will commence Friday night at Point Park and conclude Sunday.

Sternwheelers that spent the past week in Marietta for the Ohio River Sternwheel Festival have docked at Point for Riverfest as well. No other activities are planned for this year’s Riverfest, an organizer said.

For Paddlefest, guests can enjoy food trucks from 6-9 p.m. on Friday along with glow-in-the-dark paddling up the Little Kanawha River at 8 p.m. There will be Kona Ice and a kid zone available for guests all weekend long.

Saturday begins with yoga at 7 a.m. at the Point Park Amphitheater. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., participants have the opportunity to paddle three miles on the Ohio River from Point Park to Blennerhassett Island and back.

(File Photo) The 2024 Parkersburg Paddlefest will was kicked off at Point Park with a lighted parade on the Little Kanawha River.

Upon arrival at the island, staff with the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will be available to provide tours of the mansion. For an additional fee, paddlers can also enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides. Wagon rides are scheduled to run every half an hour for $12 per person and begin at 10 a.m. Mansion tours are $5 per person, start at 10:15 a.m. and are scheduled for every quarter after and quarter till the hour.

Other events on the island will include canvas painting, Temple Challenge, yoga and YMCA Wayward Dancers.

Bike rentals will also be available for $2 for half an hour or $4 for an hour.

There will also be a free scavenger hunt on the island as well.

Festivities will conclude Sunday with a send-off paddle event at North Bend Lake starting at 10 a.m. For those who want to participate, North Bend Outfitters offers kayak rentals.

Those who have registered are insured by the American Canoe Association for the entirety of the festival.

Wild River Kayak Company will offer kayak rentals and shuttle services for Parkersburg and Marietta. The Marietta Adventure Company and Human Hydro Outfitters offer kayak rentals locally. Transportation isn’t offered so festival attendees must plan to transport equipment.

People can register for Paddlefest www.greaterparkersburg.com/paddlefest/ and select the ticket link. Guests can also register at the festival and pay $20 in cash for individual tickets.