Hundreds of people filled Civitan Park to enjoy the opening of the annual Belpre Homecoming event, an event that Belpre Homecoming Treasurer Jamie McCormick said he hoped was going to let attendees have “the time of their lives”.

McCormick also said the festival has seemed to grow every year, even just by the sight of attendees at the start of the festival and the inclusion of new events. New events include the return of Snow Biz, hair braiding stations, a slime vendor and a glitter station. McCormick also highlighted a new entertainment act of an LED robot on stilts as well as an updated park layout to hopefully help the flow of foot traffic.

94th Annual Belpre Homecoming – Schedule of Events

Friday (4-11 p.m.)

* 4 p.m. — Antique auto show – Howes Grove Park

* 5 p.m. — Amusements open

* 5 p.m. — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* 5 p.m. — Princess meet and greet

* 5:30 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 6:00 p.m. — Strength Warehouse Q&A – Gazebo stage

* 6:45 p.m. — Belpre High School Cheerleaders performance – Gazebo stage

* 7 p.m. — Junior Miss Belpre Pageant – Gazebo stage

* 8 p.m. — Hells Bells (AC/DC tribute) – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 9:30 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 10 p.m. — Karaoke night – Gazebo stage

Saturday (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.)

* 9 a.m. — Belpre Mile registration, race starts at 9:40 a.m.

* 10 a.m. — 94th Annual Belpre Homecoming Parade

* 11 a.m. — Cornhole Tourney signup – basketball courts

* Noon — Amusements open

* Noon — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* Noon — Cornhole Tourney starts – basketball courts

* Noon — Puppy pageant registration – Gazebo stage

* 12:30 p.m. — Puppy pageant – Gazebo stage

* 2, 3, 4 p.m. — Belpre historical trolley tour

* 3:30, 5, 8 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 3 p.m. — Kiddie pedal pulls registration – Gazebo stage

* 3 p.m. — Scavenger hunt – Gazebo stage

* 3:30, 5, 8 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 4 p.m. — Kiddie pedal pulls

* 5 p.m. — Princess meet and greet

* 6 p.m. — Belpre High School Athletic Hall of Fame introduction – Gazebo stage

* 7 p.m. — Teen & Miss Belpre Pageant – Gazebo stage

* 8 p.m. — LED robot

* 8:30 p.m. — Songs of the South (Alabama tribute) – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 9 p.m. — Teen glow dance – Tennis courts

* 10 p.m. — America’s 250th fireworks show

Sunday (10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

* 10:45 a.m. — Church service – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 11:30 a.m. — The Clark Family – Healthy Hustle main stage

* Noon — Amusements open

* Noon — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* 2 p.m. — Taco ’bout Jesus with Mike & Ciera Gribble – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 2, 3, 4 p.m. — Belpre historical trolley tour

* 4 p.m. — Pastor Janet Richards – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 4:30 p.m. — Worship collaboration

Gene Venham, 63, served 31 years in the Army and Army Reserve including almost 12 months in Iraq where he and a group of MPs and engineers set up a compound for Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib Prison at Baghdad.

Venham eventually was assigned to the Joint Personal Effects Depot at Aberdeen, Md., after being flown out of Iraq due to an anthrax exposure. At the depot, the personal effects of soldiers killed and wounded were collected to be returned to their families. At the same time, he assisted in writing the protocol in how the remains were to be escorted to the mortuary at Dover, Del.

“It’s the only one of its kind in the United States,” he said.

Vanham was then assigned to the team to establish a new $25 million 55,000-square-foot Joint Personal Effects Depot co-located with the Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware in April 2005. He retired in October 2011 while at Dover, but remained for another year as the liaison between the government and military to ensure contractors were meeting terms of their contracts.

“This was a new operation for the country,” he said.

He stayed at the processing depot until his contract ended in October 2012, and he returned home to Marietta where he went to work at the New Wiehl Body Shop, writing estimates and doing body work.

Constantly working with soldiers’ remains and their personal effects over the years eventually took a mental toll, Venham said.

“It begins to bear down on you, dealing with that all the time,” he said. “When I returned home, after being gone for so long, I was lost. I didn’t know what to do.”

Then in 2015 with the help of his son, Cody, and brother, Richard, a veteran who also owned and managed the New Wiehl Body Shop, he started the Operation Give a Veteran a Car program that collected older model vehicles, reconditioned them to safe and reliable working order and gave them to veterans in Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Kentucky until the pandemic in 2020.

“COVID put an end to that,” Venham said.

The group gave about 45 cars to veterans in the five years. The last was a female veteran from Chicago at the Dover Downs Speedway in front of thousands of spectators.

However, with the end of Operation Give a Veteran a Car, Venham intensified his involvement to help local veterans.

He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5108, where his father was a member for more than 50 years, and the American Legion. He volunteered to mow yards, build wheelchair ramps and did other things to help veterans.

Venham joined the VFW Honor Guard to participate in the military funeral details in the services for veterans. He remains a member of the Honor Guard and with other members of veteran organizations created the Washington County honor guard team that has assisted in all the military funerals in the county.

Besides creating a community watch group with his son in Lawrence Township in 2021, Venham was a member of the Reno Volunteer Fire Department where he was a squad captain and assistant chief, serving in the department for about 12 years, before he did the watch group.

He also was the president of the Washington County EMS Association for four years at the same time and started the first and only EMS competition team of local EMTs from volunteers of departments to compete in Ohio.

In June 2023, Venham became commander of the AMVETS Post 1788 in Marietta and helped revive and reconstitute the organization. Venham helped recruit eight new members, four of whom became life members. He was re-elected commander in 2024 and continued efforts to recruit members, participated in numerous Americanism projects and community events and helped veterans in distress in Washington County.

Also in 2023, Venham became commander of the Ronnie W. Davis Memorial VFW Post 5108 in Marietta. The more-than-400-member post created a three-member panel, on which Venham served, to identify internal issues and make changes to ensure the post’s survivability.

He was commander of the post until November 2024 when he left to become commander of the Pioneer City Chapter 52 Disabled American Veterans, a post he still holds.

Venham has served the community, country and veterans for more than 50 years. Some veterans need help, but don’t ask, and others need help, but can’t find it, he said.

“There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done,” Venham said.

Much has changed over the years in how veterans are helped, he said.

Families have become central in helping veterans and most events now are family-centered and oriented, such as picnics, parades, organizational events and other health and welfare programs, he said. Most veterans today have been away from their families for long periods of time and on multiple deployments, Venham said.

It’s vital to get more younger veterans involved, Venham said.

“It’s a different ball game for the veterans this time,” he said.

Venham retired as a first sergeant. During his service, he received a Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th award), Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (4th award), War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 30-year device Gold.

His wife, Sandra, and children Cody, Alisha Venham Edwards and Tessa Venham Winstanley are involved.

“They are the rock of my motivation to continue servicing veterans,” Venham said.

Venham received the Washington County Veterans Medal in November 2011. He was honored in a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives in November 2021.

He was among 23 veterans in October 2021 to be inducted into the Washington County Veterans Hall of Fame.

Venham was named the Washington County Veteran of the Year in November 2022 and received a certificate of recognition from U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson in November 2022.

He was named a Kentucky Colonel in May 2024. In June, he received a distinguished service medal from the Four Chaplains Legion of Honor.

He also is the liaison with AMVETS Commander Larry Woods for Honor Flight of Columbus. More than 30 veterans have taken the flight and 21 more are scheduled for this fall.

Venham can’t see himself doing anything else.

“I’ve always been someone to be in the foxhole helping others. It’s been very rewarding and very honorable,” he said. “As long as I’m able to walk and talk, I’m going to do this until the day I die.”

Jess Mancini can be reached at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com.

From July 1 through Sept. 30, 2026 income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan, or making repairs to their central air conditioning unit through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program.

The Summer Crisis Program assists low-income households that have received a disconnection notice, have already been disconnected, are trying to establish new electric service, require air conditioning or have a household member age 60 or older.

Assistance is also available for households with a member of any age who can provide physician documentation verifying that cooling assistance is needed for a medical condition. Qualifying medical conditions may include lung disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma and other qualifying conditions.

To qualify for assistance, Ohioans must have a gross household income at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for households of up to eight members, or 60% of the State Median Income for households with nine or more members. For a family of four, the annual income must be at or below $57,750.

To apply, clients must schedule an appointment by calling (740) 370-1328.

Applicants must bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

• Their most recent energy bills.

• A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days and/or the last 12 months for each household member.

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.

• Proof of disability (if applicable).

• Physician documentation stating that cooling assistance is medically necessary for a household member’s health (if there is not a household member age 60 or older).

• Households with no income must provide documentation of their circumstances (such as past-due bills, tax transcripts, letters of support, etc.).

• Additional documentation may be required.

Appointments are required and must be completed in person. Walk-ins will only be accepted for emergency situations, schedule permitting. Applications cannot be processed until all required documentation has been submitted. Air conditioners and fans are available only to eligible households that meet all program requirements and have not received an air conditioner or fan through the Summer Crisis Program within the past three years.

The Washington-Morgan Community Action offices are located at 218 Putnam St. in Marietta, Ohio and 50 W. Third St. in Malta, Ohio. The Marietta office can be reached at (740) 373-3745 and the Malta office can be reached at (740) 962-3827.

The HEAP departments in both Washington and Morgan counties are closed daily from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

Wetz said about 10 feet of sanitary sewer pipe collapsed. Crews worked until about 3 a.m. on the repair before returning to the site later in the morning.

When workers excavated the area, they encountered a large amount of water from an unknown source, Wetz said.

“It seems like there might also be a water leak contributing to the sewer pipe collapse,” he said.

Wetz said the city did not initially believe heavy rainfall caused the collapse because water continued entering the area after the rain had passed. Crews were still investigating the source of the water and working on repairs as of Thursday morning.

Lancaster Street is one of the routes providing access to and from Harmar Hill. Wetz said officials hoped to reopen the street by the end of Thursday or Friday morning, depending on the progress of the repairs.

The closure comes as work continues on a separate hillside stabilization project along Maple Street, another route serving Harmar Hill.

Wetz said rocks broke loose from the hillside and struck a nearby house about two weeks ago on Maple. City employees subsequently cleared an area in the woods and installed a guardrail behind the houses to prevent additional falling rocks from reaching a home.

“They put the guardrail up in the woods there behind the houses,” Wetz said.

Geostabilization International, or GSI, is performing the contracted hillside stabilization work. Wetz said workers encountered voids or air pockets while boring horizontally into the hillside.

To address the problem, the contractor planned to drill holes from the street above the work area and fill the voids with a mortar-like mixture. Once the material is in place, workers will continue installing soil nails to stabilize the hillside.

Wetz said city employees removed the rocks that fell from the work area and installed the guardrail, while GSI is completing the stabilization project.

Based in Hudson, the band returned to Marietta College for its overnight traditional band camp, marking the sixth year the program has held the event on the college’s campus. Held July 26-30, the private camp served as the band’s preseason training experience.

Unlike a traditional day camp where students arrive in the morning and leave at the end of the day, Hudson’s annual overnight camp at Marietta creates an environment where the band can spend an entire week together as a community, immersed in the daily rhythm of campus life.

“This is the most important week in our band’s development,” Director John Rodesh said. “A lot of schools host band camp on their own campus, but our ability to stay here overnight and use the different facilities allows us to develop the camaraderie, leadership and culture that define our program.”

For the 154 members of the 2026 band, including 56 freshmen, the week represented an important milestone in their development. More than just learning music and marching formations, the camp gave students the chance to develop leadership skills, build relationships and grow together as a team, establishing the chemistry that will carry them through the year.

However, for Rodesh, the camp’s greatest value isn’t measured by the number of songs students learn or how many hours they spend marching. It’s measured by everything that happens in between: the moments that make the week unforgettable.

“I believe the memories students make are what keep them coming back,” Rodesh said. “They can have fun with the evening activities and all the things outside of the music and marching. In my opinion, that’s what going to a college gives us.”

Students rehearsed pregame and halftime shows twice daily on Don Drumm Stadium Field and held full-band rehearsals inside the McDonough Auditorium. They also participated in traditions, including a new-member welcome ceremony and dance at The Gathering Place, as well as an opening-night dodgeball event in the Dyson-Baudo Recreation Center. Evenings provided additional time for students to connect outside of rehearsals.

In addition to rehearsals and activities, students also had opportunities to learn more about Marietta College and what life on a college campus can offer.

The week concluded with a performance on Christy Mall for Marietta College faculty and staff, a tradition that gives the Marietta community a glimpse into the work students accomplish throughout the week. The annual performance has become one of the highlights of the college’s summer conference season, drawing students, faculty, staff and visitors alike. As the band performed crowd favorites including “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Free Bird” and “YMCA,” the campus community sang and danced along.

Hudson first brought its annual band camp to Marietta College six years ago after exploring locations closer to home.

“Hudson High School Band Camp is one of my favorite groups that we host each summer. They bring an outstanding group of students, directors and counselors to campus, and it is always a pleasure to work with them,” said Tara Meagle, director of advancement events and conference services at Marietta College. “For many of these students, this may be their first opportunity to spend an extended period on a college campus, and we want them to leave with a positive impression of Marietta College and higher education in general.”

The band camp is one of multiple summer programs through which the college welcomes students, spanning the arts, athletics, STEM and other disciplines.

As the Downtown Throwdown, the event grew into one of Downtown PKB’s signature events.

“Originally the event was a contest. Everyone voted on their favorite barbecue,” said Amanda Stevens, executive director of Downtown PKB. But the competitive aspect is gone and “we don’t even focus on barbecue anymore.”

Live music, beer and food vendors are still very much in the mix, however, she said.

Live entertainment will be provided starting at 6 p.m. by Two for the Road, followed by the Michael Christopher Band at 7:30.

Advance tickets are $20 and can be purchased online through Downtown PKB’s website, downtownpkb.com, or in person at The Blennerhassett Hotel, 320 Market St., Parkersburg. Tickets will also be available at the gate the day of the event for $25.

The Brewfest is a cashless event, with beer and admissions purchases requiring a debit or credit card, although some food vendors may accept cash.

The event will go on, rain or shine, Stevens said.

Additional information is available online at downtownpkb.com.

The popular monthly event offers late shopping, live music, pop-up artists, special sales and restaurant promotions.

On the lawn of the Armory on Front Street, exhibits will be available from Artsbridge, Waterview Pointe, Washington County Soil & Water, MOV’n Dragons, Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Rivers, Trails & Ales.

Makerspace at BB2C will show a free movie on the lawn at 8:30 p.m., “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.”

On Putnam Street, Peoples Bank Theatre will continue its free outdoor concert series. OYO will perform in the street, followed by country superstar Dustin Lynch’s concert inside the theatre.

Teri Ann’s will offer its Summer Blowout. At J&M Books and Play, customers spending $25 can roll the dice for discounts of 10-20% and Two Peas in a Pod Florist will offer 10% off purchases of $10 or more.

American Flags and Poles will have all metal yard art on sale and Dad’s Primitive Workbench will celebrate its new fall décor with a free gift for purchases of $75 or more. Clutch Collective will host local artist Samantha Keith of Super Bloom Studios and Wit & Whimzy will host local grower Briar & Bloom with fresh bouquets. Both stores will also have Mystery Grab Bags, clearance items and no sales tax on clothing and school supplies. In addition, any donation of school supplies will earn a ticket to win a gift basket.

Schafer Leather Store will feature 20% off all footwear while Emleigh’s and Mama B’s will have racks marked “The More You Buy, The More You Save”.

In the Back to School Bash at Threadz Boutique, any school employee with a 2026-27 ID can receive 20% off a purchase. River City Spaces will have its new fall décor and every purchase will be entered to win a $25 gift card. Local maker Lexi Wittekind of Good Witt Designs will be on hand with her creations. At Downtown Bargains, customers can shop for squishy favorites and back-to-school goodies.

First City Records will have hundreds of new records at 5 p.m. and offer discounts on apparel. In honor of RTA, the store will serve a healthy and refreshing pickle juice mocktail. Every purchase will be entered into a raffle at Life Balance Healing on Putnam Street. Dead People’s Stuff will be open late along with Wilky’s Market with free samples.

The Wellness Retreat is inviting the public to its new location, 323 Second St. where it will have snacks, discounts and giveaways to celebrate. At the Town House, Stone Quillen Band will take the stage at 8 p.m. and guests can enjoy Masthead Freelance IPA on draft. Over the Moon Pub & Pizza will be serve specialty Mule Drinks in preparation for Walshapalooza the next day.

“First Fridays act as a catalyst for the entire downtown business area,” Mike Walsh, owner of Over the Moon Pizza.

Walsh is looking forward to this weekend.

“The community gets excited and they come out and support all of us running shops downtown,” he said. “It’s great for business and a fun time with our customers.”

Downtown First Friday events take place the first Friday of every month from 5-9 p.m., February through December. Highlights of these events include late shopping, artists and musicians, area organizations and activities tied into the theme. Each First Friday is a celebration of community and an opportunity for locals, tourists and groups to show their support for the town, have fun and enjoy vibrant and historic downtown Marietta.

According to a press release regarding the event, the festival brings over a thousand locals and tourists together to hit local rivers, trails and ale providers with a celebration of outdoor adventure and community.

This weekend provides hiking, biking and paddling activities for all ages and skill levels. The festival invites attendees to explore the scenic rivers, wooded trails and streets of Marietta. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or trying something new, there’s something for everyone, according to the press release.

Visitors can experience live music on Saturday during the Beer Fest, featuring performances by local artists. Attendees will have a selection of food trucks and browse a variety of local community organizations along the riverfront. The Beer Fest will feature a ticketed tasting event with a curated selection of brews from across the region.

“RTA Fest means expanding an energetic and positive community. It means encouraging folks to head outside and enjoy our local waterways, city trails, beautiful roads, and vibrant downtown,” said Eric Dowler, RTA festival director. “We sometimes take for granted what we’ve been given, so RTA Fest is a way for us to show off what is here and happening all year long in Marietta and Washington County.”

The RTA Festival is free to attend. Proceeds from the festival benefit Marietta Main Street, the Marietta City Trail Fund and other funds relevant to the mission of the event.

To learn more about the RTA Festival, access the 2026 Festival Program (including a Kids Guide), or volunteer to support the many events this festival brings to the community, visit www.rtafest.com or Rivers, Trails & Ales Festival on Facebook.

River, Trails and Ales Festival Schedule

THURSDAY

* 7:30-9 p.m. — Kick Off Party at Galley and Adelphia Music Hall (Ales and Music)

FRIDAY

* 8-9 a.m. — Yoga with Erin Deitzler at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* 9 a.m. — Gnome Adventure Hike at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge (Trails/Kids)

* 9 a.m. — Guided Historic Walk at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — RTA Warrior Course at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)

* 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)

* 10 a.m. — Trail Town Celebration at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* 10:30 a.m. — Mountain Bike Group Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10:30 a.m. — Road Bike Group Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10:30 a.m. — Guided Nature Hike at Broughton Nature Park (Trails)

* 10:30 a.m. — Marietta Trolley Tour at The Armory

* Noon — Veto Lake Lunch Paddle at Veto Lake (River)

* 5:30 p.m. — Kids’ Trail Run at Broughton Nature Park (Trails/Kids)

* 6 p.m. — OYO at Peoples Bank Theatre (Ales and Music)

* 6:30 p.m. — Gnome Adventure Hike and Creek Explore at Broughton Nature Park (Trails/Kids)

* 8 p.m. — Glow Paddle with launch at Indian Acres Boat Ramp and take out near Boathouse BBQ (River)

* 8 p.m. RTA Fest Mountain Bike Night Ride at the gravel lot at 100 Mill Creek Road, Marietta (Trails)

* 8 p.m. — Colby Lee Swift with special guest Walker Swift at Adelphia Music Hall (Ales and Music)

SATURDAY

* 8-9 a.m. — Yoga with Natalie Ball at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)

* 9 a.m. — Guided Nature Hike with a Ranger at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge-Vistors Center (Trails)

* 9 a.m. to noon — Gnome Adventure Hike and Nature Explore at Beverly Island (Trails)

* 9 a.m. to noon — Nature Hike at Beverly Island (Trails)

* 9 a.m. to noon — Youth and Adult MTB Skills Clinic at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)

* 9 a.m. — Historic Lock Thru Paddle at Lock-Thru Paddle Launch Site (River)

* 9:30 a.m. — Group Trail Run at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. — Mountain Bike Group Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. — Gravel Bike Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. — Road Bike Group Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — RTA Warrior Course at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)

* 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Kid’s Fun Zone near Warrior Course at RTA Headquarters (Kids)

* 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — E-bike Demo with Marietta Adventure Co. and Aventon at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* Noon — Gnome Adventure Hike and Creek Explore at Broughton Nature Park (Trails/Kids)

* 1 p.m. — All about EBikes! by Aventon at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 2 p.m. — Family Fun Bicycle Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)

* 2-6 p.m. — Foam Party! at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)

* 3-7 p.m. — Kid’s Fun Zone near Beer Festival-RTA Headquarters (Kids)

* 3-7 p.m. — RTA Adventure Expo at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* 3-7 p.m. — RTA Beer Fest VIP Admissions at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Ales)

* 4-7 p.m. — RTA Beer Fest General Admissions at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Ales)

* 3:30-6:30 p.m. — Face Painting at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Kids)

* 7:30-8 p.m. — Tortoise and Hare World Championship at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 8 p.m. — Raffle Drawing at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* 8 p.m. —Allie Colleen with special guest Evie Schaffer at Adelphia Music Hall (Ales and Music)

SUNDAY

* 8:30 a.m. — Guided Nature Hike at Broughton Nature Park (Trails)

* 9 a.m. — Buckley Islands Exploration Paddle/Hike at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge (Trails/River)

* 9-11 a.m. — Tots and Trikes Mini Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails/Kids)

* 9-11 a.m. — RTA Warrior Course at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park

* 9:30 a.m. — Group Trail Run at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. — Mountain Bike Group Recovery Trail Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 10 a.m. — Road Bike Group Ride at Festival HQ-East Muskingum Park (Trails)

* 1 p.m. — Mighty Muskingum River Raft at Regatta Indian Acres Boat Ramp (River)

* 1 p.m. — Gnome Adventure Hike at Ohio River Islands Wildlife Refuge (Trails/Kids)

* 7 p.m. — G. Love and Special Sauce at Peoples Bank Theatre (Ales and Music)

Starting Monday, 17th Street in Vienna will be closed between Ninth Avenue and 12th Avenue so work can begin on the replacing the bridge that goes over the Pond Run stream in a residential part of the city.

Vienna Mayor Chad Emrick said the project is being done through the state.

“It is being replaced,” said Sarah Graley, construction area manager with the District 3 of the West Virginia Division of Highways. “The superstructure is being replaced. All the abutments will remain and be modified. There will be new girders and we will put a new deck on it.”

Officials don’t have an end date set for the project, but they are expecting it to be completed by March 1, 2027. Graley said it could be done sooner than that. It will depend on a number of factors including weather.

“We are hopeful it will wrap up before winter, but it could go to next March,” she said. “Hopefully, it will be before that as long as the weather cooperates.”

Earlier notices said that work would be occurring 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the week. Graley said that gave the impression that the bridge would be open at certain times which it will not.

“The bridge will be fully closed 24/7,” she said.

Emrick said the work on the nearby 12th Street bridge that has been going on for a few months is expected to be completed by mid-September.

“Hopefully, that will be wrapped up fairly soon,” he said. “Then they will have the work to do on the 17th Street bridge.”

Eventually, 12th Street will be extended to connect to the West Virginia University at Parkersburg Innovation and Technology Center. However, the bridge work is a seperate project from that Emick said.

One the part of 17th Street is closed, traffic will be detoured onto 16th Street, the mayor said.

Motorists are being asked to plan accordingly, according to a press release from the WVDOH District 3 office.

The mayor said both bridges were scheduled for maintenance work.

“They weren’t unsafe in any way, but if we allowed it to keep going (without any work), eventually they would (become unsafe),” Emrick said. “We are doing preventative maintenance and preventative work to ensure the safety of transportation in those areas.”

The mayor said they would alert the public of any changes to either project though their social media platforms.

For the third consecutive year, the festival will span four days instead of three.

“A lot of people actually wanted us to add Sunday, so we did,” Homecoming board President Amanda Wires said.

Sunday activities focus on faith and family, with praise and worship events added to the vendors and activities from the other days. A 10:45 church service at the Healthy Hustle main stage will be followed by music from the Clark Family at 11:30.

There will be live music each night, starting with local band Insured Sound on Thursday, AC/DC tribute act Hell’s Bells on Friday and Songs of the South performing the music of Alabama on Saturday. They will be followed by a fireworks display in honor of America’s 250th birthday.

There is no cost for admission to the festival or for the performances. Most days, there will be a charge for rides, but that’s not the case Thursday, thanks to First Mutual Bank.

The Homecoming is a “great opportunity to come out and support our community,” Wires said.

“There’s literally something for everybody.”

94th Annual Belpre Homecoming – Schedule of Events

Thursday (5-11 p.m.)

* 5-11 p.m. — Free night of rides, presented by First Mutual Bank

* 5 p.m. — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* 5 p.m. — Princess meet and greet

* 6 p.m. — Queen City stunt circus

* 6:30 p.m. — Opening ceremonies, Gazebo stage

* 7 p.m. — Little Miss/Mister Belpre Pageant – Gazebo stage

* 8 p.m. — Insured Sound – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 9 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 9:30 p.m. — Evie Shaffer – Hometown Beer Garden

Friday (4-11 p.m.)

* 4 p.m. — Antique auto show – Howes Grove Park

* 5 p.m. — Amusements open

* 5 p.m. — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* 5 p.m. — Princess meet and greet

* 5:30 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 6:00 p.m. — Strength Warehouse Q&A – Gazebo stage

* 6:45 p.m. — Belpre High School Cheerleaders performance – Gazebo stage

* 7 p.m. — Junior Miss Belpre Pageant – Gazebo stage

* 8 p.m. — Hells Bells (AC/DC tribute) – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 9:30 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 10 p.m. — Karaoke night – Gazebo stage

Saturday (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.)

* 9 a.m. — Belpre Mile registration, race starts at 9:40 a.m.

* 10 a.m. — 94th Annual Belpre Homecoming Parade

* 11 a.m. — Cornhole Tourney signup – basketball courts

* Noon — Amusements open

* Noon — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* Noon — Cornhole Tourney starts – basketball courts

* Noon — Puppy pageant registration – Gazebo stage

* 12:30 p.m. — Puppy pageant – Gazebo stage

* 2, 3, 4 p.m. — Belpre historical trolley tour

* 3:30, 5, 8 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 3 p.m. — Kiddie pedal pulls registration – Gazebo stage

* 3 p.m. — Scavenger hunt – Gazebo stage

* 3:30, 5, 8 p.m. — Queen City Stunt Circus

* 4 p.m. — Kiddie pedal pulls

* 5 p.m. — Princess meet and greet

* 6 p.m. — Belpre High School Athletic Hall of Fame introduction – Gazebo stage

* 7 p.m. — Teen & Miss Belpre Pageant – Gazebo stage

* 8 p.m. — LED robot

* 8:30 p.m. — Songs of the South (Alabama tribute) – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 9 p.m. — Teen glow dance – Tennis courts

* 10 p.m. — America’s 250th fireworks show

Sunday (10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

* 10:45 a.m. — Church service – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 11:30 a.m. — The Clark Family – Healthy Hustle main stage

* Noon — Amusements open

* Noon — Food/marketplace vendors and SOPEC expo tent open

* 2 p.m. — Taco ‘bout Jesus with Mike & Ciera Gribble – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 2, 3, 4 p.m. — Belpre historical trolley tour

* 4 p.m. — Pastor Janet Richards – Healthy Hustle main stage

* 4:30 p.m. — Worship collaboration