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Downtown PKB
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America's 250 Celebration

July 3 & 4, 2026

Downtown PKB's America 250 Celebration

Join Us in Parkersburg, WV for

July 3 & 4, 2026

Downtown Parkersburg invites you to take part in Celebrate America, a special two-day event honoring the 250th birthday of the United States. Taking place July 3–4, this Parkersburg 4th of July celebration features family-friendly activities, historical reenactments, local entertainment, and a full day of festivities leading up to a spectacular fireworks display. Join neighbors, friends, and visitors as we come together to celebrate America’s history, heritage, and independence.

*Attendance is free for all activities. Activities are open to the public, but some activities may have limited seating / openings.

  • Baseball Player Batting
    Family Movie Night - “The Sandlot”
    • Details:

      • 5:30 p.m.

      • Discovery World on Market (900 Market St, Parkersburg)

      • Concessions (hot dogs, popcorn, cracker jacks and drinks) will be sold at the movie by Discovery World.

      • Tickets are no longer available.

      • Sponsored by Pickering Associates

    1776 by The Actors Guild in Parkersburg, WV
    Performance of 1776 by The Actors Guild
    • Details:

      • 8 – 10 p.m.

      • Center on Market (328 Second St, Parkersburg)

    • Experience the signing of the declaration of independence. The stage will be beautifully decorated to represent the time period, and the twenty-four actors will be dressed in full costume.​

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    Additional July 3rd Happenings
    • Food Truck:

      • 8 – 10 p.m.

      • Bicentennial Park (Third St, Parkersburg)

    • Maggie Moo's Creamery

  • Juliana Street in Parkersburg, WV
    Juliana Street Tours

    Take a guided tour through the historical Juliana Street on an air conditioned bus provided by the Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority. Tours are approximately one hour and will leave at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

    • Details:

      • 10 a.m. - Noon

        • First tour: 10:00 a.m.​

        • Second tour: 11:00 a.m.

      • Meet and pick up location at the Greater Parkersburg CVB (113 Ann St, Parkersburg)

      • ​Tours given by Mary Barbara Hanna, owner of Parkersburg Tours
         

    • Tickets:​ THERE ARE NO MORE SEATS AVAILABLE.

    Church bells
    Bell Ringing
    • Details:

      • Noon

      • At various locations across Parkersburg

    • Bells will ring across Parkersburg signifying the signing of the Declaration of Independence.​

    Patriotic Celebration Group
    Celebration Ceremony
    • Details:

      • Noon – 12:30 p.m.

      • Bicentennial Park (201 Third St, Parkersburg)

    • Ceremony Activities:

      • Cannon fired from Ft. Boreman Park

      • Pledge of Allegiance

      • Welcome by Parkersburg Mayor, Tom Joyce

      • Reading of the Declaration of Independence by actors portraying John Hancock & Thomas Jefferson

      • Patriotic songs played

      • Signing of the Declaration of Independence by all in attendance

    The Pioneer Antique Auto Club of the Mid-Ohio Valley
    Wendy’s Independence Cruise-In
    • Details:

      • Noon – 4 p.m.

      • Wood County Justice Center Parking Lot (401 2nd St, Parkersburg)

    • Join us for an afternoon celebrating classic cars, custom builds, and community spirit. Spectators will have the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful vehicles in the area and meet the proud owners who have spent countless hours restoring, customizing, and caring for these incredible rides.

    • For those interested in registering your car:

      • Registration is by donation the day of the event. All makes, models and vehicles welcome. Participants will receive a T-shirt and be eligible to win door prizes and plaques.

    • Rain date is July 11, 2026
       

    DJ Spinning Records
    Live DJ
    • Details:

      • 1 – 4 p.m.

      • Wood County Justice Center Parking Lot (401 2nd St, Parkersburg)

    • A live DJ will be set up near the car show and at Bicentennial Park, spinning tunes throughout the afternoon to keep the energy high and the good vibes going. Be sure to stop by, enjoy the music, and soak in the lively atmosphere while you check out the incredible cars on display!
       

    Outdoor Music Concert
    Live Music
    • Details:

      • Bicentennial Park (Third St, Parkersburg)

      • Mike & Carla​​

        • 4 – 6 p.m.

        • Husband & wife music duo specializing in classic rock cover

      • Break | 6 – 6:30 p.m.

      • Luke Columbo​​

        • 6:30 – 8 p.m.

        • Luke Colombo is a 17-year-old singer-songwriter and self-taught guitarist from Parkersburg who gained national attention as a contestant on American Idol (Season 24). Colombo earned a “golden ticket” during auditions in Nashville, advancing to Hollywood Week. A student-athlete at Parkersburg High School, Colombo balanced sports with music before focusing more seriously on his musical career. His style blends modern country influences with personal storytelling. Colombo continues to pursue music as a long-term career, building a following through live performances and social media.

      • Break | 8 – 8:15 p.m.

      • River City Rodeo

        • 8:15 – 9:45 p.m. 
          River City Rodeo Band is a Parkersburg, West Virginia–based country and southern rock group known for delivering high-energy live performances rooted in classic country, outlaw, and modern country hits.

        • The band regularly performs at local venues throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley. Their sound blends crowd-favorite covers with a lively, dance-friendly style that appeals to a wide audience. With a strong local following, River City Rodeo Band continues to be a staple in the Parkersburg-area music scene, bringing a fun, upbeat atmosphere to every performance.​

    Vivid Fireworks Display
    Fireworks fired from Ft. Boreman Park
    • 10:00 p.m.

    • After the activities of the day, stay at Bicentennial Park and enjoy a front row seat to the fireworks being set off from Ft. Boreman Park.

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    Additional July 4th Happenings
    • Food Trucks

      • Noon – 10 p.m.

      • Bicentennial Park ( Third St, Parkersburg)

    ​​

    • Cousins Main Lobster

    • Hangry House

    • J's Dog House

    • Jimmy Avocado's

    • Moka's Coffee & Snack Shack 

    • Poor Daddy's Wood Fired Pizza

    • Smoking Cauldron

    • Snow Biz

    • Stephens Cotton Candy Lemonade Shake Ups

  • Hand Holding Flag
    Activities Happening around Wood County, WV Throughout 2026
    • Anti Tea Party

      • Plan now to attend one or more Anti-Tea Parties at Historical Wood County Homes. Each home will NOT be serving tea but coffee, lemonade and delicious crumpets to celebrate the “17” tea parties held by our early patriots. Each place will give a history and tour of the home and “tea party: history. The teas are free to attend.

      • Parties scheduled will be:

        1. Sunday, June 7 at the Cooper Cabin from 2-4 sponsored by the Daughters of American Pioneers.

        2. Sunday, June 14 at the Cook House from 2-4 sponsored by the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution.

        3. Saturday, June 20 at Henderson Hall from 2-4 sponsored by the “Museums of the Mid Ohio Valley.”

        4. Sunday, June 28 at Oakland (Stephenson Mansion) sponsored by the Foundation of WVUP.

        5. Sunday, July 19 at the Parkersburg Women’s Club House

        6. Sunday, July 26 at the Phelps/Tavenner House sponsored by the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society.

    ​​

    • Travel the Patriot Trail

      • ​A list of cemeteries where our local Patriots are buried and other revolutionary historical markers are located will be available on line and at the CVB in May. Take your family and friends and see how many you can find in honor of our founding heroes. Your trip will likely take you to Marietta, Belpre, Williamstown, and Parkersburg.

    ​​

    • Patriotic Gardens 

      • ​Plant a vegetable or flower Patriot Garden to help commemorate our Country’s 250th Anniversary. You can register your garden at the CVB and pick up a 250th Garden stake to recognize your garden. These stakes will be available in June. Fifty commemorative garden pots crafted by the potters at the Parkersburg Art Center will be given to the top gardens

    • The Virtues of the Founding Fathers

      • Speaker: Ohio State Representative Kevin Ritter

      • Wood County Library (Summers Auditorium, lower level), June 11, 6 p.m.

    • Kite Flying

      • ​Spencer's Landing, June 13, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

    • Vienna Freedom Festival

      • Spencer's Landing, June 25 - 27

    • Young Washington (2026)

      • Jungle Drive-In Theatre, Time - TBA

    ​​

    • Downtown Decorated in Red, White & Blue

      • Downtown Parkersburg will come alive in patriotic spirit beginning in mid-May, as red, white, and blue decorations transform Market Street for the season. Light post flower baskets featuring vibrant red and white blooms will be installed along Market, each proudly displaying sponsor signage in blue. Patriotic-themed street banners will line Market, adding to the festive atmosphere, while the Edison lights from 3rd to 8th blocks of Market will shine in red, white, and blue. In addition, several storefronts along Market Street will join in the celebration with creative patriotic paint themes, making downtown a must-visit destination.

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Thank you to all of our generous sponsors!

Your support of America's 250 Celebration helped make this event possible and our mission stronger.

Patriot Sponsor

A special thank you to our Patriot Sponsor.

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Liberty Sponsors

A special thank you to our Liberty Sponsors.

United Bank Logo
West Virginia University at Parkersburg logo

Event Sponsors

A special thank you to our Event Sponsors.

R.D. Newell & Associates

In-Kind Sponsors

A special thank you to our In-Kind Sponsors.

Greater Parkersburg CVB logo
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Abby Hayhurst for logo design

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Stay in the Loop

More details, updates, and additional activities will be announced as we get closer to America's 250 Celebration. Follow Downtown PKB on Facebook to stay informed and make sure you don’t miss a moment of this historic event.

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