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t's Independence Day weekend, and the Kanawha Valley is set to celebrate! From the annual Charleston Sternwheel Regatta to local firework displays, outdoor activities and other summer fun, it's set to be a very eventful Fourth of July. Here's a look at some of the events happening this long holiday weekend around the Kanawha Valley.

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Thursday, July 3

Music

• JOSH PANTRY: 6:30 p.m. Free. Thursday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• MIKE OREGANO: 7-9 p.m. No cover. Fife Street Brewing, 180 Summers St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• CARLY PEARCE: 8 p.m. Free. Thursday’s Regatta headline concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• BETTER FROM HERE / UNMANNED: 10 p.m. $7 cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Regatta

• ONE-HOUR SIGHTSEEING CRUISE: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children aged 3-12. One-hour tours on the Valley Gem. Tours begin at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• SKATEBOARD CLINICS: 10 a.m. Free. Clinics take place under I-64 along Kanawha Boulevard. Charleston Skate Park, 102 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston. More info online.
• ALL FIRED UP YOUTH BBQ CHALLENGE: Noon-3 p.m. Free. Youth barbecue cooking competition. Capitol Market, 800 Smith St., Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA CARNIVAL: Noon-10:30 p.m. Tickets $1.25 each or $30 for an unlimited ride wristband. Rides, games, food and more. Haddad Riverfront Park, 700 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info online.
• FAMILY FUN ZONE: Noon-5:30 p.m. Free. Games, activities and more. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA PAST & PRESENT EXHIBIT: Noon-5 p.m. Free. Exhibit that celebrates all the years of Regatta. Four Points by Sheraton, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• WHEELHOUSE BEER FESTIVAL: 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets $47 per person. Capitol Street, Charleston. More info online.
• JOSH PANTRY: 6:30 p.m. Free. Thursday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA DINNER CRUISE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets $55 for adults, $53 for seniors, $45 for children 3-12. Two-hour cruise featuring a full Captain's buffet with entertainment on the upper deck following dinner. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• CARLY PEARCE: 8 p.m. Free. Thursday’s Regatta headline concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA SUNSET TOURS: 9-10:30 p.m. Tickets $37 for adults, $35 for seniors, $27 for children 3-12. A late sunset cruise on the Kanawha River with appetizers. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• RETRO FILM FESTIVAL: 3-5:30 p.m. Free. Family-friendly movie in the SCPL auditorium. South Charleston Public Library, 312 Fourth Ave., South Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• BINGO NIGHT: 6:30 p.m. Free. Prizes include a scooter giveaway. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main St., Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• SUMMER FAMILY BIKE RIDE: 6:30 p.m. Free. A 5.7 mile, flat, relaxed pace route through the neighborhood streets of St. Albans, with a stop for ice cream. John’s Cyclery, 309 Maccorkle Ave., St. Albans. More info on Facebook.
• WVU MOUNTAINEER FAN CLUB: 6:30-9 p.m. Harding’s Family Restaurant, 2772 Pennsylvania Ave., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION GAME: 6:35 p.m. Tickets $13.50 and up, military members free entrance. Dirty Birds game followed by fireworks. GoMart Ballpark, 601 Morris St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• 2025 FREEDOM CELEBRATION: 7-9 p.m. Free. Free food, ice cream, foam party (for the kids), and fireworks. Maranatha Church, 2910 Kanawha Terrace, St Albans. More info on Facebook.
• KING TRIVIA PUB QUIZ: 7-9 p.m. Free. Huddle & Hatchets, 122 Capitol St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• OPEN MIC: 7-10 p.m. Free. Coal River Coffee Company, 64 Olde Main Plaza, St. Albans. More info on Facebook.
• MONTGOMERY INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: 7 p.m. Free. Live music, popcorn, ice cream, vendors and fireworks. Third Avenue, Montgomery. More info on Facebook.

Friday, July 4

Music

• TIMMY COURTS & FRIENDS: 5-8 p.m. No cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St. in Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• THE VELVET BROTHERS: 6:30 p.m. Free. Friday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND: 8 p.m. Free. Friday’s Regatta headline concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• FRUIT FROM STRANGERS: 9 p.m. $10 cover. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St. in Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Regatta

• ONE HOUR SIGHTSEEING CRUISE: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children aged 3-12. One-hour tours on the Valley Gem. Tours begin at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• SKATEBOARD CLINICS: 10 a.m. Free. Clinics take place under I-64 along Kanawha Boulevard. Charleston Skate Park, 102 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA CARNIVAL: Noon-10 p.m. Tickets $1.25 each or $30 for unlimited ride wristband. Rides, games, food and more. Haddad Riverfront Park, 700 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info online.
• FAMILY FUN ZONE: Noon-5:30 p.m. Free. Games, activities and more. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA PAST & PRESENT EXHIBIT: Noon-5 p.m. Free. Exhibit that celebrates all the years of Regatta. Four Points by Sheraton, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MARKET: Noon. Free entrance. Vendor show featuring products developed and produced by local youth. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info online.
• HOT DOG EATING CONTEST: 3-4 p.m. Free. Local competitors battle it out in the third annual hot dog eating contest. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• THE VELVET BROTHERS: 6:30 p.m. Free. More info online.
• KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND: 8 p.m. Free. Friday’s Regatta headline concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• FIREWORKS EXTRAVAGANZA: 9 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• FIREWORK WATCH PARTY & DRUM CIRCLE: 6:30 p.m. Free. Hot dog potluck (side dishes welcome), drum circle, fire pit and firework viewing. Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Saturday, July 5

Music

• SHELEM: 6:30 p.m. Free. Saturday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• BUSTA RHYMES: 8-9:30 p.m. Free. Saturday’s Regatta headline concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• CHARLESTON IS FOR COVERS: 10 p.m. $7 cover. Featuring Rockwell’s Ghost, Jerks! And Jay Parade. The Empty Glass, 410 Elizabeth St., Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Regatta

• FIRECRACKER 5K: 8 a.m. $45 adults, $25 youth age 11-18, kids under 10 free. Benefit for the Childhood Language Center. Magic Island, 101 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info and registration online.
• ALL DOG COSTUME CONTEST & WIENER DOG RACES: 9:30 a.m. Free. Costume Contest begins at 9:30 a.m.; wiener dog races start at 10:30 a.m. Magic Island, 101 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info online.
• ONE-HOUR SIGHTSEEING CRUISE: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children aged 3-12. One-hour tours on the Valley Gem. Tours begin at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA RATTLER SLALOM DEMO: 10 a.m. Free. The demo takes place under I-64 along Kanawha Boulevard. Charleston Skate Park, 102 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA CARNIVAL: Noon-10 p.m. Tickets $1.25 each or $30 for unlimited ride wristband. Rides, games, food and more. Haddad Riverfront Park, 700 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info online.
• FAMILY FUN ZONE: Noon-5:30 p.m. Free. Games, activities and more. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA PAST & PRESENT EXHIBIT: Noon-5 p.m. Free. Exhibit that celebrates all the years of Regatta. Four Points by Sheraton, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• TAR PIT SHOWDOWN CONTEST: Noon. Free. The contest takes place under I-64 along Kanawha Boulevard. Charleston Skate Park, 102 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston. More info online.
• YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS MARKET: Noon. Free entrance. Vendor show featuring products developed and produced by local youth. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info online.
• FUNERAL PARADE: 1:30 p.m. Free. Capitol Street, Charleston. More info online.
• STERNWHEEL SLAMBOREE: 3-6 p.m. Free. Third annual wrestling event. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA DINNER CRUISE: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets $55 for adults, $53 for seniors, $45 for children 3-12. Two-hour cruise featuring a full Captain's buffet with entertainment on the upper deck following dinner. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• SHELEM: 6:30 p.m. Free. Saturday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• BUSTA RHYMES: 8-9:30 p.m. Free. Saturday’s Regatta headline concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA SUNSET TOURS: 9-10:30 p.m. Tickets $37 for adults, $35 for seniors, $27 for children 3-12. A late sunset cruise on the Kanawha River with appetizers. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• CHARLESTON PARKRUN: 8 a.m. Free timed 5K run or walk. Magic Island, 181 Kanawha Blvd. West, Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• CLENDENIN RUNNING GROUP: 9:45 a.m. Free. The run begins promptly at 10 a.m. Fox Coffee, 14 Main St., Clendenin. More info on Facebook.
• BENEFIT RIDE: Noon. $10 per bike. Benefit ride for the Kanawha County Sheriff's K-9 Unit and the Bradley Prosperity Volunteer Fire Department. Harley-Davidson of West Virginia, 4924 Maccorkle Ave. South West, South Charleston. More info on Facebook.
• TAPROOM TRIVIA: 6:30 p.m. Free. Clendenin Brewing Co., 2 Main Street, Clendenin. More info on Facebook.

Sunday, July 6

Music

• OF THE DELL: 6:30 p.m. Free. Sunday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• JEFFERSON STARSHIP: 8 p.m. Free.  Sunday’s Regatta featured concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.

Regatta

• CAR SHOW: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• OPEN SKATE: 10 a.m. Free. Open skate takes place under I-64 along Kanawha Boulevard. Charleston Skate Park, 102 Pennsylvania Ave, Charleston. More info online.
• ONE-HOUR SIGHTSEEING CRUISE: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tickets $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $10 for children aged 3-12. One-hour tours on the Valley Gem. Tours begin at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• FAMILY FUN ZONE: Noon-5:30 p.m. Free. Games, activities and more. City Center at Slack Plaza, 169 Summers St., Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA PAST & PRESENT EXHIBIT: Noon-5 p.m. Free. Exhibit that celebrates all the years of Regatta. Four Points by Sheraton, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• GREAT RUBBER DUCK RACE: Noon. Free. Fundraiser for the United Way of Central West Virginia. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA CARNIVAL: 1-10 p.m. Tickets $1.25 each or $30 for an unlimited ride wristband. Rides, games, food and more. Haddad Riverfront Park, 700 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston. More info online.
• FIRE PARADE: 2 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• STERNWHEEL RACES: 3-5 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• OF THE DELL: 6:30 p.m. Free. Sunday’s Regatta opening concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• DRONE SHOW DINNER CRUISE: 7-10 p.m. $90 per person. Three-hour cruise with Captain’s dinner, entertainment and a drone show. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• JEFFERSON STARSHIP: 8 p.m. Free.  Sunday’s Regatta featured concert. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.
• REGATTA DRONE SHOW: 9:30 p.m. Free. Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston. More info online.

Etc.

• SISTER CITY ALLIANCE FUNDRAISER: 3 p.m. $25 per person. Concert fundraiser for the Sister City Alliance. Featuring music by The Carpenter Ants, Spencer Elliott and Alasha Al-Qudwah, with special guest Barbora Osvaldova, Director of Tourism for Banska Bystrica, Slovakia. West Virginia Museum of Music, Town Center Mall, 3000 Charleston Town Center, Charleston. More info on Facebook.

Events are subject to change. If you have questions, please reach out to organizers. Know of a public event happening in Kanawha County that you’d like to share with readers? Send event info and contact details to ramsburgreports@gmail.com to be featured in a future calendar