Four Ways to Celebrate the Fourth in Marion County

This county takes celebrating our nation’s independence pretty seriously. In fact, West Virginians are well known for their patriotism. All are welcome to share in the fireworks and family-friendly, small-town charm. Here are four ways to ring in the Fourth of July in Marion County.

1.       Fairmont First Friday

Start your celebration a day early with First Friday. The arts series
features live music and a family-friendly, street fair atmosphere on Veterans Square Plaza on Adams Street in the heart of historic downtown Fairmont. Presented by Main Street Fairmont, the fun takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month from May through September.

First Friday on July 3 will feature Phil Wiseman from 5 to 6 p.m., Haley Slagle from 6 to 7 p.m. and the band Qiet from 7 to 9 p.m.

Qiet is Christopher Vincent on lead vocal and guitar, Alasha Al-Qudwah on violin and viola, Max Venoy on trumpet, James Maddox on bass and Steve Barker on drums. The band describes itself as “the culmination of this wild and wondrous world, infused with every culture on the planet and refined in the mountains of West Virginia.”

Don’t let a few rain drops stop you. Popular businesses across the street, the Joe N Throw, 323 ½ Adams Street, and Firehouse Café,
323 Adams Street, both host live music along with their usual fare. New Diesel Trio will play at Firehouse Café from 6 to 9 p.m.

2.       Red, White & Boom! in Fairmont

As part of the Palatine Park FAME series, enjoy Red, White & Boom! at the park on Saturday, July 4. Gates open at 3 p.m. for this free event.

You might want to bring a towel and a lawn chair. Kids will enjoy the Splash Pad at the park, face painting and other child-friendly activities. There will be plenty of food vendors and even more music.

From 5 to 6 p.m., stop by to meet and greet former West Virginia University Mountaineer Owen Schmitt and the bands. The music begins on stage at the amphitheater at 6 p.m. with Matt Poling and the Easyriderz with Owen Schmitt. From 7 to 8:15 p.m., Marshall Lowery will take the stage. Popular Pittsburgh band The Clarks will perform from 8:30 to 9:45 p.m.

Of course, the real star of the Fourth is the fireworks, which are planned for 10 p.m. You’ll be in a prime place to view the fireworks at Palatine Park along the Monongahela River.

Here are a few traffic tips to help you enjoy the evening: The Robert H. Mollohan Bridge will close to both pedestrians and vehicle traffic at 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, and will remain closed until around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, July 5. At 9:30 p.m. Saturday, all areas in the immediate surrounding area of the bridge will be cleared for safety. All boat traffic near the bridge will also have to avoid areas marked-off with yellow caution tape.

3.       A Fairview 4th

With one of the best parades of the year, a community band concert, a 5K, great music, games, contests for kids, music and fireworks, Fairview knows to how to play up that old-fashioned fun (and has been doing so since 1976). This an all-day extravaganza complete with fireworks.

Here’s the schedule for the Fairview 4th event on Saturday:

• 7:45 a.m. Registration for Ray Hedrick 5K Fun Run
• 8:30 a.m. Ray Hedrick 5K Fun Run
• 10 a.m. Grand Parade
• 11:30 a.m. Fairview Community Band
• 12:30 p.m. Patriotic Selections
• 1 p.m. Guest speaker Richard Aamot
• 2 p.m. Fairmont State University Academy for the Arts students
• 3 p.m. Community Involvement Fair & Exhibits; Cake Walk, Games and Contests for all ages; acoustic jam session
• 6 p.m. Boy Scouts Troop #22 – Flag Retirement Ceremony
• 6:30 p.m. Jenna Won’t Sing
• 7:30 p.m. Middle of Nowhere
• 8:15 p.m. HILLBILLY GYPSIES
• 10 p.m. Fireworks

4.       An Old-Fashioned 4th in Mannington

Have you ever heard of an Honest Abe Race? What about a Yankee Doodle Dandy race? Well, July 4 is your chance to experience these firsthand in Mannington. The city plans to celebrate our American independence with an evening of old-fashioned fun. From a pie eating contest to a balloon toss to live music and fireworks, you won’t be bored.

Here’s the schedule for the Mannington 4th event on Saturday:

• 5 p.m. Opening Ceremony
• 5:30 p.m. Cake Walk for all ages
• 6 p.m. Bounce house and Corn-hole Tournament for ages 14 and older
• 6:20 p.m. Honest Abe Race for all ages (parent/child partners allowed)
• 6:40 p.m. Stars and Stripes, an activity for kids
• 7 p.m. Yankee Doodle Dandy (adult/child partner race)
• 7:20 p.m. Oh Say Can You Seed for all ages
• 7:30-9:30 p.m. Live music by Fireside
• 7:40 p.m. Dressing the Nation for all ages (parent/child partners allowed)
• 8 p.m. Bomb Bursting balloon toss for all ages (parent/child partners allowed)
• 8:20 p.m. American Pie Eating Contest for all ages
• 9 p.m. Sky lantern release followed by fireworks

As an extra bonus, the Declaration of Independence will be read at noon at Pricketts Fort. Come out and hear the reading of one of the greatest documents ever written – second only to the United States Constitution and enjoy some Patriotic fife and drum tunes enjoyed by our colonial forefathers. Regular admission applies with half price admission for all US Veterans and active military.

Whatever you decide to do, enjoy your Fourth of July and have a safe and happy holiday!