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Preparations for West Virginia’s America250 Capitol City Celebration are in full swing on the capitol grounds in Charleston.
Red, white and blue banners decorate the governor’s mansion. The staging area on the front steps of the capitol is being readied for musical acts and a nightly 3D projection show.
“We have such amazing activities planned for America’s 250 and West Virginia’s beauty, West Virginia’s history, West Virginia’s family atmosphere is very much going to be on display,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
On the other side of the golden dome, construction of the America 250 Wheel is underway – delayed slightly by Friday rains but on track for opening night on Thursday, July 2.
“We want to put on a show,” Michael Wood, co-owner of the giant Ferris wheel, said Friday. “There’s a spectacular light show that every U.S. president shows up on the medallion in the center of the ride. It has their name, it has their term inside each gondola -- a small, little apolitical narrative as you ride the ride about the president, some kind of fun facts, and some major accomplishments, and so it really is a history lesson, but it’s fun.”
In addition to the wheel, there will also be a skating rink, a community art project, inflatables, food and artisan vendors and more. Everything but food, drinks and merchandise is free of charge.
Morrisey said he wants this to be a celebration families will remember for a long time to come.
“We’re looking at about $2 million out of our contingency fund, so that’s what we’re budgeting, that’s what gets spent overall for America’s 250,” Morrisey said. “I think West Virginia’s celebrations are going to stack up pretty well compared to the other states across the country.”
Tourism officials estimate up to 50,000 people will attend the festivities from July 2 –5.
Visit WV250.com for schedules, maps and details.