Photos Provided The 12th Annual RegattaFest will quench visitor’s need for speed on the weekend of Sept. 22-24 with championship-level powerboat racing on the Ohio River, along with music, food, activities and fun for the entire family.

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Do you feel the need for speed? Are you looking for free family fun? Are the kids bored? RegattaFest can deliver the roar of the race and plenty of activities for kids the weekend of Sept. 22-24.

And, yes, all RegattaFest activities are free.

On Friday, starting at 10 a.m., teams from across the United States will run the storied quarter-mile straightaway course on the Ohio River at Fireman’s Park, attempting to set new American Power Boat Association and Union Internationale Motonautique-sanctioned national and international speed records.

This stretch of the river in New Martinsville holds the world’s record for records, and race officials know higher speeds can be achieved. Friday at 5 p.m., the public is invited to come join everyone for the boat parade down Main Street to Fireman’s Park on RegattaFest Way by the Fire Station. Visitors can relax and enjoy live music from 10 Penny, meet the 2023 RegattaFest Royal Court and shake hands with the drivers while getting a personal view of the race boats before heading to the Magnolia High School Homecoming Football Game.

Saturday and Sunday, all activities begin at 10 a.m. for boat test sessions. The Kid’s Zone opens at noon each day with popular inflatables, new train rides, swings and interactive Watermania games.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, Bill Stokes will astound audiences with his unique brand of magic at the Doolin Center while the fun continues in the park.

On the water, racing for the North American Championship runs from 1-4 p.m. The food trucks, vendors and craft shows will be open and ready for visitors.

On Sunday, Magnus the Balloon Man will be on-site to entertain at 2 p.m. Racing starts at 1 p.m. and concludes with the championship finals (approximately 3-3:30 p.m.). Winners in the Formula 200 and VP 75 classes will compete to earn the Wetzel County Commission Trophy and the City of New Martinsville Cup. Attendees are encouraged to bring Sharpies, as drivers will be available for autograph sessions.

The RegattaFest feature event on Sunday, Sept. 24, will decide not only the 2023 North American Champion, but also the American Power Boat Association champion (U.S. #1) for the Formula 200 Class. Jimmy Kerr of Lapeer, Michigan and Tyler Welch of Wayzata, Minnesota, are in a “dead heat” for the national points competition. Final standings will be settled in New Martinsville, the last race of the year for both drivers. In addition, this race is for the Wetzel County Cup providing extra points and prestige for the winner.

The Formula 200 Class (120 mph) is one of four classes of APBA’s OPC (Outboard Performance Category) powerboats scheduled for this year. Additional classes include SST-45, SST-60 and VP-75.

Drivers from all over the USA and Canada arrive in the area for the opportunity to place on the podium and earn prestigious awards.

All classes will race qualifying heats on Saturday for national APBA points, plus the starting grid positions for each of the championship finals on Sunday.

It will be a jam-packed weekend of exciting entertainment and adrenalin-pushing, heart-thumping action during the 12th annual RegattaFest, Sept. 22-24. Families are urged to make plans to join everyone, bring lawn chairs and enjoy visiting with neighbors, friends and family in Fireman’s Park, downtown New Martinsville.

It’s fast, it’s fun and best of all, it’s free.