Essential information for attendees ahead of America250 Celebration
By Lindsey Funk
For America250
Charleston – West Virginians and visitors from across the country and around the world are invited to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary during the Capital City Celebration, a free, family-friendly event taking place July 2-5 at the West Virginia State Capitol Complex.
This once-in-a-lifetime celebration will bring together communities from across West Virginia and beyond to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary in a truly memorable way. Held in collaboration with the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, the Capital City Celebration serves as a perfect addition to the weekend’s festivities.
Parking & Transportation
Kanawha Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Greenbrier Street and California Street, along with all of California Street, for the duration of the weekend.
Visitors can take advantage of the KRT Regatta Bus Loop, with shuttle service running approximately every 45 minutes between the Capitol Complex and downtown Charleston.
Free parking will be available at the Capitol Complex Parking Garage and at Laidley Field.
Musical Entertainment
Free entertainment will feature headlining performances by ALABAMA, the West Virginia Symphony, and the Marshall Tucker Band.
To view the complete entertainment schedule, click here.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the Capitol Lawn.
America250 Wheel
The world’s tallest portable observation wheel, the America250 Wheel, will stand 230 feet tall, offering unparalleled views stretching up to 14 miles from the top.
Featuring 45 gondolas, each representing a U.S. president and seating six riders, the wheel will have the capacity to carry up to 1,600 guests per hour.
A sensory-friendly hour will be available 9:00—10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 3.
Minimum height required to ride is 32 inches with a guardian, and riders 42 inches or taller may ride without a guardian.
Rides are free to attendees.
Liberty & Lights Show
Beginning each evening at 9:00 p.m., running every 15 minutes, the State Capitol will come alive with a spectacular celebration of West Virginia pride and American heritage. The show is produced by the same team behind world-class events including the NFL Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game, creating a patriotic experience guests will remember for years to come.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the Capitol Lawn.
Fireworks
A fireworks extravaganza will take place on Friday, July 3, at 10 p.m.
Attendees can watch the citywide fireworks, in partnership with Regatta, from the Capitol on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 9:30 p.m
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the Capitol Lawn.
Additional Event Offerings
Additional activities include an Adventure Zone featuring a rock wall and inflatables, guided State Capitol tours, living history reenactments, a roller skating rink, a scavenger hunt, and more.
Guests can purchase items from food vendors, an artisan market, and America250 merchandise.
A sensory-friendly area will be available in the Culture Center library for guests who need a quiet space to rest and recharge, open Thursday, July 2 from 5:00—7:00 p.m., and Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 from 10:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m. Guests can take part in calming activities such as coloring pages, sensory bins, and access comfortable seating and noise-reduction headphones.
For more event information and updates, visit wv250.com and follow @westvirginia250 on Facebook and Instagram.
For additional questions concerning media coverage, please contact Lindsey Funk at [email protected]. For media assistance during the event, please contact (681) 217-4314.
