Belly dancer Elizabeth Muise of Boom Boom Shake performs during the opening day of the 2024 Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in June at City Park. The event is shifting to Belpre’s Civitan Park in 2025 due to construction work at City Park. (File Photo)
PARKERSBURG — Two distinctive Parkersburg events will see changes in 2025 – and one of them won’t be in Parkersburg.
The Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival will be crossing the Ohio River to Belpre as a new activity and recreation center is being constructed on the site of the former pavilion in City Park, cutting into the traditional space for the 28-year-old festival celebrating culture, food and art from around the world.
“Mayor (Susan) Abdella has been real easy to work with and welcomed us over there,” said Bea Corra, a co-founder of the event and member of its board.
Depending on how long it takes to complete the recreation center, “we may be in Belpre for two years,” she said. However, “right now our intention is to come back to Parkersburg.”
This year’s festival is slated for June 20-22 at Civitan Park.
Lako Lynn pets an alpaca at the Alpaca Run Farm booth on the first night of the 2024 Parkersburg Homecoming. (File Photo)
This year’s theme is “The Roots of Our Community,” with a focus on the British, French, Scotch, Irish, Italian and African immigrants who built the infrastructure of West Virginia and Ohio and their descendants, Corra said. Local historical groups have been invited to participate with educational displays or discussions.
Columbus R&B singer Shaun Booker and her Dammit Band will perform for the third year in a row. Other performances will feature hula dancing, Celtic music, Italian dance, African drums and more.
Corra said there have been challenges in changing venues, including different health department regulations, business licenses for vendors and changes to marketing materials.
“But we are forging ahead with enthusiasm,” she said. “Belpre’s Civitan Park is a lovely location, and we anticipate a great year.”
Among the changes for the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival is a new president, former City Councilman Bob Mercer, and a return to a three-day event.
Courtney Knoch, left, owner of Marietta Henna, gives Parkersburg resident Martha Klimas a henna tattoo on the first day of the 2024 Mid-Ohio Valley Multi-Cultural Festival in June at City Park. The event is shifting to Belpre’s Civitan Park in 2025. (File Photo)
Mercer said he saw a post that the festival was looking for new officers and “I wasn’t going to let it go down the tubes.”
After lasting two days in the last few years, Homecoming will again span Friday to Sunday this year, Aug. 15-17. In addition to bringing in some tribute bands, a popular musical feature locally, Mercer said Sunday will feature gospel music.
On Saturday, “we’re going to have open mic all day long,” he said. “We want local talent to come in and show us their stuff.”
That could include musical acts and comedians – rated G and PG only, Mercer said. He emphasized that he wants the event to appeal to and engage all ages.
There will be wrestling, courtesy of the semi-pro Higher Precision, and an opening ceremony on Friday that Mercer hopes will feature music from four high school choirs in the county and a tribute to veterans.
Bonnie and Bill Higgins sit down by the main stage on opening night of the 2024 Parkersburg Homecoming prior to the opening act. (File Photo)
Some activities will still take place at Point Park, but “we’re bringing it back out up to the Blennerhassett Hotel” as well, Mercer said.
“We want this to be the very best that it’s ever been,” he said.
Mercer said they’re looking for volunteers and people can sign up to help by visiting the website, parkersburghomecoming.com. They can also contact him at 304-588-8074.
“We need all the help we can get,” he said. “Everybody’s welcome.”
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com
Lions Club volunteer Rachel Johnson, right, ties a balloon to the wrist of Emerson Elementary student Sylvia Roberts during the opening night of the 2024 Parkersburg Homecoming. (File Photo)