Fill That Need for Speed at RegattaFest
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NEW MARTINSVILLE - Are you looking for free family fun? Do you feel the need for speed? Are you ready to plug into the power of adrenalin-pushing racing? It's time for RegattaFest in downtown New Martinsville, West Virginia.
This weekend, Sept. 26-27, puts the roar of the race at your door, along with a cruise-in from Cruisers Unlimited, Bill Stokes Magic Show, the Kid's Zone, Magnus Balloons, RegattaFest bubble machines, outdoor learning experiences from Broken Timber, the Saturday evening Grand Parade, the Sunday Chili Cook-Off Showdown plus vendors, displays and food trucks.
The excitement starts on Saturday with the powerboat testing at 10 a.m. Head to MeetingHouse Golf, downtown, for the cruise-in from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. From noon to 4 p.m., the Kid's Zone is open for fun with inflatables, the bubble machines and Broken Timber activities. The vendors, and food trucks open at 11 a.m.
RegattaFest opening ceremonies and the American Legion Color Guard will begin at 12:30 p.m., and the qualifying heats for the American Power Boat Association-sanctioned RegattaFest Championships, begins at 1 p.m. for all classes of tunnel boats. Bill Stokes and his incredible magic show start at 2:30 p.m. at the Doolin Center downtown, and the racing continues until 4-4:30 p.m. Come to Main Street at 5 p.m. to watch the parade of race boats, cruise-in vehicles, dignitaries and RegattaFest royalty. Then stay on Main Street for fun and music during the Barnyard Boogie produced by Stalder's Family Creamery and Kraken Records.
The parade starts from the south end of Main Street near the college and continues down Main to Virginia Avenue. New Martinsville Police Chief Tim Cecil leads the way and the RegattaFest Queen, Allyssa Carpenter, along with her court plus visiting royalty from other area festivals will greet everyone, with treats for the kids.
It's a day of speed and evening fun from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m with RegattaFest and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the Barnyard Boogie.
Sunday, the action continues with testing and tuning for the powerboats at 11 a.m. The Kid's Zone opens from noon to 4 p.m. It's another opportunity for kids of all ages to have a fun-filled afternoon of inflatables, bubblemania machines, more Broken Timber activities and balloons with Magnus.
Opening ceremonies with the national anthem, performed by Dan Henthorn, begin at 12:30 p.m. Crafters, vendors and food trucks reopen from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with the return of the Chili Cook-Off, now known as the Chili Showdown.
The final rounds of racing for the RegattaFest Championships start at 1 p.m. Formula 200, SST 45 and SST 120 teams have all earned their places on their starting grids, their games faces are on, and the titles are up for grabs. The final racing heats are scheduled for 1-4 p.m. Drivers will be available for autographs, photos and trophies after each final ends.
Set your GPS, mark your calendars, grab your lawn chairs, gather your families and friends, and join us in New Martinsville for the annual RegattaFest. It's Fast Family Fun, and a party in the First Responder's Park, downtown on the banks of the Ohio River.
The 88-year tradition of sanctioned powerboat racing and a bit of innovation with activities for everyone this weekend. Best of all - it's free.