Tis the season to sip hot chocolate around a warm fire with friends and family. When you are tired of being inside, bundle up, and venture out to experience some of the holiday happenings in the Greater Parkersburg area!

A Christmas Story
Nine year old Ralphie Parker wants one thing for Christmas, and one thing only: An Official Red Ryder Range Model Carbine Action BB Gun. There’s only one problem: everyone else is convinced he’ll shoot his eye out! Undeterred, he begins his saga of convincing all the necessary players, including Santa Claus himself, that he needs that gun. Catch a performance on December 1st, 2nd, 7th or 8th.

Live! At the Smoot Theatre
The historic 1926 Smoot Theatre is bustling with activity this time of the year with extravagant musical performances, such as A Hometown Christmas performed by the Smoot House Band on Nov. 30th. The stage comes alive with holiday performances the entire family will remember year-after-year. Call the Smoot Theatre for tickets at 304-422-7529 or visit their website.

Trees of Our Heritage
Visit the Blennerhassett Museum in downtown Parkersburg to view Trees of Our Heritage, a display of decorated Christmas trees from countries around the world. The display will continue until December 31st. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children.

Celebration of Lights
Thousands of glittering lights are presented annually in celebration of the season at Parkersburg City Park and Southwood Park through Dec. 31st. You’ll enjoy more than 225 animated and still Christmas light displays from the comfort of your car. From Santa Claus and his flying reindeer to dancing dinosaurs, this outing is sure to bring “oohs” and “ahhs” and become a family tradition.

Historic Home Tours & More
An eclectic mix of Victorian era homes, dating back to the 1800s, will be open to the public for a rare glimpse into the past during the annual Julia-Ann Square Victorian Christmas Home Tour & Tea Dec. 1 & 2. Residents of West Virginia’s largest historic district will be decked out in their finest Victorian attire as they host a walking tour of several lavishly decorated homes followed by a tea. This year the event will expand to four days, with pre-tour festivities. New activities include a Sip & Savor Reception and carriage rides on Nov. 29th. Then on Nov. 30th an Antique Show & Art Exhibit and Lamp Lighting Processional will take place. A Candlelight Tour of homes has been added on Dec. 1st (limited tickets). Don’t forget about the Sunday brunch on Dec. 2nd! To learn more, call 304-422-9861 or visit their website.

Christmas at the Plantation
Henderson Hall will be all decked out for the holidays beginning the week of Thanksgiving until New Years. If you have never seen historic Henderson Hall at Christmas, it is a must see. A special “Christmas Evening at the Plantation” will take place Dec. 6th with tour offering an all-access pass through the Hall. Live Christmas music will be provided by Mat Whitworth. Food and drink will be served. Admission is $25 per person. Tickets are limited. The historic home is located just one mile south of Williamstown on Old River Road (off WV 14). For more information or to make a reservation, call 304-375-2129 or visit their website.

Christmas at the Castle
Come celebrate Christmas at The Castle in Marietta, Ohio. The Castle is decked out in all of its Christmas finery. Enjoy Victorian Christmas sweets, tea, and a tour with friends and family on Dec. 15th from 2-4 p.m. Reservations are required. Cost is $15 per person.

Winterfest
Enjoy a new holiday tradition! Make plans to attend Winterfest 2018 on Dec. 1st in downtown Parkersburg. Experience the sights and sounds of the holiday season with friends and family during this special event. Several downtown businesses will be open, along with various downtown museums and attractions.

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas
Perfect for kids, Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas is a tale of a wild holiday adventure. A mouse, an elf, and a spunky little girl (who just won’t take no for an answer) are on a quest to find out why Santa missed their house last year. Tickets are $8 per person, available only at the door. This production is being performed in collaboration with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg and WVU-P. Two performances will take place on Dec. 8th at 12 Noon and 2 p.m. at the Little Theatre (Room 1305) on the campus of WVU-P.

Visit with Santa
Santa Claus will be stopping by North Bend State Park for breakfast on Dec. 15th just before he makes his way back to the North Pole for the big night. He’s taking last minute requests and needs to find out just what all the little boys and girls want this year. Don’t forget to have your picture taken with old St. Nick! Call 304-643-2931 to learn more and to purchase breakfast tickets.

New Year’s
Make plans to ring in 2019 at three unique venues – Blennerhassett Hotel, North Bend State Park, or Valley Gem Sternwheeler. Each location will celebrate with dinner and music. Overnight packages are available by contacting Blennerhassett Hotel at 800-262-2536, www.theblennerhassett.com or North Bend State Park lodge at 304-294-2931, www.northbendsp.com. For the Valley Gem, call 740-373-7862, www.valleygemsternwheeler.com.

To learn more about these holiday events and Greater Parkersburg visit, www.GreaterParkersburg.com!

The post Holiday Happenings in Greater Parkersburg appeared first on Clutch MOV.

Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoor weather and colorful fall foliage. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, festival, outdoor entertainment or other activities that you are looking for, you’ll be sure to find it in Greater Parkersburg, West Virginia!

Labor Day weekend promises to be packed with great outdoor activities. Reserve your spot aboard the Island Belle Sternwheeler on September 7 and enjoy a hearty dinner and delightful river cruise. Complete your evening of fun by attending the final Point Park Music Series Concert. Reservations are required for the dinner cruise. Call 304-420-4800 or 800-CALL WVA to learn more about times and costs. Then rock the night away with a free concert by Wanted, the Bon Jovi Tribute, beginning at 8 p.m. This will be the last Point Park Music Series Concert this year! The 5th Annual Parkersburg Paddlefest on Sept. 14-16 is a weekend water festival. Paddlefest weekend starts on Friday night (Sept. 14) at 8 p.m. with a lighted paddle up the Little Kanawha River from Point Park. Electric lights and glow sticks illuminate the group on this opening night event. The main event on Saturday (Sept. 15) 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., provides a unique opportunity to paddle a three-mile stretch of the Ohio River, from Point Park downriver to Blennerhassett Island and back, while commercial traffic is restricted on the Ohio River. On Sunday (Sept. 16), before heading home, the festival offers a farewell lake paddling excursion on North Bend State Park Lake.

Visit the sternwheelers docked at Point Park for Riverfest, Sept. 14 & 15 and enjoy entertainment, an antique auto show, and activities for the kids. A fireworks display will take place at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by music from the MIXX Band.

The 56th annual juried Harvest Moon Arts & Crafts Festival boasts more than 175 crafters showing, demonstrating, and selling their handmade products each year. Festival proceeds go toward supporting youth recreation within Wood County. The event takes place September 15&16 in the Parkersburg City Park.

Downtown Throwdown BBQ & Brewfest, also on Sept. 15, takes places at Bicentennial Park (between the Blennerhassett Hotel and the Parkersburg City Building) in downtown Parkersburg from 6-10 p.m. and features various BBQ favorites and craft beers from around the state.

Make plans to also attend Volcano Days on Sept. 21-23 at Mountwood Park. The festival features an antique steam and gas engine show, model railroad display, kiddie tractor pulls, corn meal grinding, apple butter making, historic wagon rides, crafts and flea market, food vendors and entertainment.  The Haunted Parkersburg Ghost Tours are one of the most popular ghost tours in the nation and take individuals through the quaint streets of downtown Parkersburg and recount its haunted history and famous paranormal tales. Tour guides will tell you various supernatural stories that are unique to the Parkersburg area. Tours are offered Friday and Saturday evenings beginning in September 29 through November 4. Tours begin at 7:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Blennerhassett Hotel (corner of 4th and Market Streets) and takes approximately two hours (walk is two miles).

Take an ole fashion river cruise aboard the Valley Gem Sternwheeler on October 2, 9 or 16 &18. Marietta, Ohio’s unique location allows the Valley Gem to offer a variety of Lock and Dam tours. Tours depart at 12 p.m. and return at 3 p.m. with a café menu available for lunch on board. Enjoy the autumn evening air at the Blennerhassett Mansion by Candlelight during two nights, on October 12 and 13, where sternwheeler rides will transport you back in time to 1805 where the Blennerhassett Mansion and grounds are lit by hundreds of flickering candles. Strike up a conversation with historic figures dressed in 19th century costumes, watch dancing, and enjoy a traditional harvest dinner. Advanced reservations are required to attend this event and may be purchased by contacting the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.

With a little bit of something to suit anyone’s interests, from arts and crafts festivals to haunted tours and everything in between Parkersburg has it all!

To learn more about Greater Parkersburg and these events, visit www.GreaterParkersburg.com or call the Greater Parkersburg Convention & Visitors Bureau office at 304-428-1130.

The post Fall Festivals and Activities in Parkersburg appeared first on Clutch MOV.