A vintage raceboat screams down the Ohio River in New Martinsville during a past New Martinsville Vintage Regatta. (Photo Provided)

NEW MARTINSVILLE — Vintage raceboats will be roaring down the Ohio River during the eighth annual New Martinsville Vintage Regatta, slated for Saturday and Sunday behind the Dos Hermanos restaurant.

Drew Herrick, event promoter, said the regatta is an exhibition of 60 vintage racing boats’ power and speed on the river. The boats hit the water each day with heats occurring between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

People will also get the chance to visit the boats up close and talk to the drivers in the pit area though they must wear closed-toe shoes while doing so. In addition to seeing the boats reach top speeds of 90 and 160 mph, there will also be bounce houses for children and food vendors.

Herrick said bleacher seating will be available thanks to the city of New Martinsville. For those who want softer seating, Herrick suggests bringing a lawn chair.

“We will have 60 boats with some from as far as California,” he said. “This will be our largest event by far.”

Herrick attributes the growth to the New Martinsville regatta combining with the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta, which used to be held Labor Day weekend at Heritage Port in Wheeling.

The Wheeling regatta had been running since 2006, but the regatta’s executives said an inability to increase sponsor and volunteer bases made it too difficult to continue operating.

“Wheeling was the (American Powerboat Association) historic landmark event for the past 15 years,” he said. “So there is a kind of pressure to have a Wheeling-type of an event. It was so good for so long. … We’re up for the challenge.”

Combining the New Martinsville and Wheeling regattas also gave the New Martinsville Vintage Regatta a new beneficiary. The regatta will benefit Easterseals Rehabilitation Services, which had long been connected with the Wheeling regatta. Basket and 50-50 raffles will be available, with proceeds going to Easterseals.

Herrick said New Martinsville has its own history with the racing boats, making it a great place to continue the vintage tradition.

For those who have not attended the event before, Herrick said people should expect a lot of noise from the boats’ powerful engines and water spray, aka rooster tails, from the boats flying down the river.

“During the lunch hour we have the pits open to the public. People can take pictures. Some owners will allow people to get into the boats,” he said.

Herrick said there will be at least 10 boats from the Ohio Valley. One of those boats will belong to Herrick himself, No. S22, named “Lil Lightnin’.”

Herrick noted he wanted to thank all of the event’s sponsors including the Wetzel County Commission along with the city of New Martinsville for its help.