(Photos Provided) Track 9, a local band, will be the opening act at 6 p.m. March 21 for Lip Sync Battle 2026 Tournament of Champions. The battle begins at 7 p.m. with local celebrities lip synching to songs in hopes of winning the title and money for their chosen nonprofits. Tickets are $20 at the Guild website, https://www.actors-guild.com/buy-tickets.html. Pre-show voting is open through 3 p.m. March 21 at the Actors Guild websitehttps://www.actors-guild.com/lip-sync-battle.html).

PARKERSBURG — Lip Sync Battle 2026 Tournament of Champions takes the stage at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.

This year’s version of the contest will feature popular contestants from past years along with one new act.

“This year we are celebrating the past three years of Lip Sync battles by welcoming back several folks who have previously participated,” event spokeswoman Sherry Wilson Braid said. “These audience favorites will once again provide great lip sync entertainment while they raise money for both the Actors Guild and other nonprofits in the Mid-Ohio Valley.”

Participants and their selected nonprofits include:

– Anna Hughes and Marsha Parsons (Humane Society of Parkersburg)

Photo Provided

– Margaret Hoschar (Voices for Children Foundation)

– Artisan Society, including Clayton McCoy, Marissa Binegar, Elizabeth Fisher, Paige Lagneaux, Katelynn Martin, Allison Roddy, Emily Stewart, Rebecca Wright, Morgan Hodgson, Elizabeth Zimmerman, Samantha Watson, and Modi Mallett (Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library)

– Habitat for Humanity ReStore, including Brittny Hensley, Dave Welch, Trey Martin, Jamie Barbe, and Stephen Smith (Habitat for Humanity ReStore)

– Zak Huffman and Erin Bice (The Gathering)

– Linda Lawson, Jennifer Morrison, MacKenna Merrifield, Brianna Walcutt, and Shannon Goff (Wood County Society)

– Senta Goudy and Becky McGinnis (West Virginia Symphony, Parkersburg)

– Greg Merritt and Stephanie Dudley (American Heart Association)

Lip Sync tickets are $20 and available on the Guild website, www.actors-guild.com/buy-tickets.html.

Merritt and Dudley are making their first appearance in the Lip Sync battle and are both veteran performers at the Actors Guild.

“We’re attempting to match our costumes and stage presence to a well-known 1976 performance,” Merritt said. “This will bring back fond memories for those who grew up in the ’70s, but everyone will enjoy the performance of this fun song.”

Merritt, who is the Actors Guild president, said he appreciates the efforts of the Fundraising Committee and the fun that the evening brings for patrons and performers.

“This event will bring a lot of laughs and is a fine example of how the guild is invested in the community,” he said.

First, second, and third place winners will receive $500, $300 and $200, respectively, for their chosen nonprofits. In addition, donations can be made at the event for the People’s Choice Award.

The People’s Choice will receive a $100 gift card for the Blennerhassett Hotel or restaurant.

Lip Sync, along with the Guild’s annual “Hee Haw” show, is not part of the organization’s regular slate of shows.

“These two fun-filled evenings provide additional funding for extra expenses the Guild incurs, from lighting equipment to set furniture,” Braid said. “We also hope to use money raised at fundraisers to assist with ongoing repairs and remodeling at the Actors Guild.”

Track 9, a popular local band, will perform prior to the show at 6 p.m.

Pre-show voting is open through 3 p.m. March 21 at the Actors Guild website www.actors-guild.com/lip-sync-battle.html). Votes cost $1 each by debit or credit card), and there is no limit to how many votes an individual can cast.

“While there is a limited number of seats for the show, anyone anywhere can support these great organizations with their online votes,” Braid said.

Voting by cash donation only will be held at the event in the back of the theater. Donations will make up half of the winning effort with the other half determined by a panel of judges of Kiki Angelos, Joe Oliverio and Lyndsay Dennis from Artsbridge, last year’s Lip Sync winner.

Concessions, including charcuterie plates, baklava, chips, cookies and water will be sold while beer and wine will be available by donation.