photo by: Chuck Clegg

Vintage raceboats speed across the surface of the Ohio River this past weekend at the New Martinsville Vintage Raceboat Regatta.

NEW MARTINSVILLE — The city of New Martinsville welcomed vintage powerboats back to the fastest freshwater course in America on Saturday and Sunday for the eighth annual New Martinsville Vintage Raceboat Regatta.

Over the Labor Day weekend, 56 boats took to the Ohio River to race head-to-head. Although the boats are not sanctioned to race due to modern safety regulations, the drivers and their boats put on a great display of near racing conditions to entertain the thousands of visitors in attendance.

Boats going back to the 1950s take part in the event, designed to bring visitors to the waterfront to see these boats speed over the water at race speed. During the afternoon break, visitors were able to enter the pits and speak to the drivers, ask questions and take pictures with their favorite boat and driver.

The community of New Martinsville has been hosting racing on the Ohio River for most years since 1938. That year, when the town celebrated its 100th birthday, Mayor Robert Bruce helped to organize the racing boats that first came to town.

The event was a success and has continued for the most part for 87 years.

This year’s New Martinsville Regatta received a boost by combining with the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta, which ran its last event in 2024.

Vintage and historic chairman Shaun Kelson said this event is all about keeping history alive and allowing the community to take part in a long-held tradition.