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W.Va. Capitol Grounds Prepare For America 250 Celebrations

By STEVENS ALLEN ADAMS 6 min read

CHARLESTON - While July Fourth celebrations and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence take place in communities all across West Virginia later this week, Gov. Patrick Morrisey is urging the public to make time to celebrate in the state’s Capitol.

Morrisey and Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby held a press conference Monday at the State Capitol Complex in front of the world’s largest portable Ferris wheel still being constructed to announce the schedule for the America 250 Capitol City Celebration taking place Thursday through Sunday.
"I’ll tell you that right now, we are 78 hours from opening ... and we could not be more excited," Ruby said.
"We want to make sure that we’re letting people know the entire calendar because we don’t want people to miss any of the fun," Morrisey said.
The Capitol City Celebration will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, with events taking place all across the State Capitol Complex, including tours of the capitol building, food and refreshment vendors in front of the West Virginia Culture Center, and an artisan market at Big Wheel Plaza on the north side of the capitol where the America 250 Ferris wheel is set up.
Concerts will take place Thursday night on the Big Wheel Stage on the other side of the Ferris wheel, with The Local Honeys performing at 5 p.m., followed by Bob Thompson at 6 p.m. and Rylee Bapst at 7 p.m.
The Capitol City Celebration will continue Friday through Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. each day. Big Wheel Stage concerts will begin at noon Friday with Matthew Malinoski, followed by Hot Jazz of Charleston at 2 p.m. and Mark Price at 4 p.m. Philip Bowen will take the Kanawha Boulevard Stage at the front of the capitol building at 6:30 p.m., followed by country music sensation Alabama at 7:30 p.m.
The Charleston Light Opera Guild will also perform the musical "1776" in the Culture Center Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday, as well as 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. While nearly all events for the Capitol City Celebration are free, tickets to "1776" are available by purchase only.
Big Wheel Stage concerts begin Saturday at noon with Woodbine, followed by Two Roommates at 2 p.m. and Been Fishin’ at 4 p.m. The West Virginia National Guard will take the Kanawha Boulevard Stage at 5 p.m., followed by an America 250 Ceremony emceed by "Wheel of Fortune" announcer and Huntington native Jim Thornton, honoring West Virginia veterans and Gold Star families. The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform on the Kanawha Boulevard Stage at 8 p.m.
“We’re going to have a very meaningful tribute to our Gold Star families and to our veterans and to our ideals that our state and our country have been advancing over the last many years,” Morrisey said. “You’re going to experience patriotic music, the presentation of the colors, a reading from the Declaration of Independence, the winning entry from the Governor’s America’s 250 poetry contest, and special tributes to those who have defended our freedoms.”
Big Wheel Stage concerts begin Sunday at noon with Jim and Valerie Gabehart, followed by Jordan Dyer Trio at 2 p.m., Bronco Junction at 4 p.m. and Sasha Colette at 5 p.m. Taking the Kanawha Boulevard Stage at 6 p.m. is Brett Mahon, followed by The Marshall Tucker Band at 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights will wrap up with a fireworks show at 10 p.m. The Liberty and Lights Show will be projected on the front of the capitol building on the Kanawha River side beginning every night at 9 p.m. and repeating every 15 minutes.
"We want to make sure that people are having an incredible time, that families have a place to go, and that they’re going to have memories created for the rest of their lives," Morrisey said.
Other activities include the America 250 Big Wheel, the 250-foot-tall Ferris wheel, with gondolas featuring all U.S. presidents. The Culture Center will play host to scavenger hunts, an America 250 exhibit, a model train, and sensory-friendly activities.
Outside of the Culture Center, visitors can watch History Alive demonstrations or go skating. The state Department of Veterans Assistance will have a vintage Korean War-era 1950 Willys M38 Jeep on display near the West Virginia Veterans Memorial. There is also a gaming trailer and a rock wall, and an adventure zone with an obstacle course and inflatables.
"We have a lot of really fun things for the family," Morrisey said. "It’s exciting."
Public parking is available in the parking garage off of Greenbrier Street near Interstate 77 and 64, with additional parking at Laidley Field on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Piedmont Road with shuttle service available. There will also be shuttle service available between the capitol complex and the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta at Haddad Riverfront Park in downtown Charleston, which is also having events and concerts between Thursday and Sunday.
“There’ve always been some trolls that are out there that try to say, ‘Hey, why are you doing it when Charleston’s doing the regatta,’" Morrisey said. "The truth is, there’s room for both, and we’ve been coordinating very well with Mayor (Amy Shuler) Goodwin ... I think that actually is going to bring a lot more people into the city. That’s the whole goal."
With heat indexes for the week expected to exceed 100 degrees, a welcome tent with information, first aid and a cooling center will be on site, with the public also able to access the capitol building.
The Governor’s Office has set aside $2 million from the Governor’s Civil Contingency Fund to pay for the Capitol City Celebration and to keep most events free, though Morrisey was unable to provide a breakdown of the costs when asked Monday. But he did say the cost of the event would not exceed $ 2 million.
"Look, there are always people that are trying to be haters out there," Morrisey said. "Number one, this is an incredible and unmatched opportunity for people to come out and experience West Virginia and see all the amazing sites that we have. That’s priceless.
"We’re celebrating our country’s birthday," Morrisey continued. "We’re doing things that are creating a great family atmosphere. We’re demonstrating that things are inexpensive or free. And I think that’s great too. ... It’s critical to celebrate America’s birthday, and we’re never going to shy away from that."
Morrisey will also spend the week traveling West Virginia and participating in America 250 events and traditional Independence Day events in Parkersburg, Wheeling, Berkeley Springs, Alderson, Ripley and other locations. Morrisey also asked for communities across the state to take part in a bell-ringing ceremony at noon on Saturday, July 4.
"We really want this bell ringing to occur. It’s a great symbol of America’s 250th and all the freedoms we have," Morrisey said. "There’s a lot for everyone in West Virginia to enjoy. We’re hopeful that we can get the word out everywhere across the state."
Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.

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