Sternwheel Regatta Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

W.Va. Celebrates Fourth Of July Statewide

Major celebrations are taking place throughout the state for the Fourth of July.

West Virginia will have a variety of events throughout the state celebrating the Fourth of July during the long weekend.

Some of the activities around the state include the Snowshoe Independence Day Celebration, Fayetteville’s Fourth of July Heritage Festival, the Shepherdstown Parade, the Fourth of July Car Show in Chester, the Grande Parade in Alderson, and fireworks displays all across the state.

There will also be festivities in Ripley. The city professes to have the nation’s largest small town Independence Day celebration.

Additionally, the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta begins on June 30 and will go until the Fourth with festivities all weekend for everyone across the state and out-of-state to enjoy. WVPB will also have an informational booth at the event.

Visit the West Virginia Tourism website for more events.

Sternwheel Regatta Releases Summer Schedule

The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta released its full 2023 schedule on Tuesday. The event will run from June 30 to July 4.

“Our Charleston Sternwheel Regatta team has put together a robust schedule featuring nostalgic favorites and fresh newcomers – including the Slack Plaza Slamboree, the All Fired Up Youth BBQ Challenge and a stunt exhibition by BMX professional Zach Newman,” Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said.

Highlights for the festival include two nights of fireworks. The first will be on opening night following the band Better Than Ezra and then again on July 4. Wiener Dog Races take place July 1 on Magic Island. Later that day, the Slack Plaza Slamboree will hold the first Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Championship wrestling match. The Great Rubber Duck Race returns July 2 just prior to the Sternwheeler Races.

Denise Norris, children’s librarian at the Charleston Main Branch of the Kanawha County Public Library, said the organization will be involved again this year.

“The Main Library will host a Summer Library Club Super Saturday event July 1 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Capitol Street. In addition to signing up for summer reading with KCPL – free and open to all ages – community members may enjoy performances by West Virginia Symphony Orchestra musicians and WV Youth Symphony groups, participate in an instrument petting zoo, and play games and complete STEM projects. It’s another fun day of reading and learning at the library.”

The entertainment lineup was released previously and includes Better Than Ezra, June 30; Flo Rida, July 1; Kool & the Gang, July 2; and Jo Dee Messina, July 3.

Terry Godbey, owner of Charleston eatery Hot Diggity Dogs and organizer of the Regatta’s Classic Car Show, spoke about bringing the event back this year.

“As organizers, we’ve streamlined our internal processes to make registration easier, and with the move to Summers Street we’re expecting an even better turnout than last year,” Godbey said.

Scheduled for July 2, the show has space for 125 cars and will relocate to Summers Street and Slack Plaza.

The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta began as two days of boat races in 1971 and quickly grew to a week-long end-of-summer festival with major entertainment. But conflicts over beer sales and other issues forced the cancellation of the event in 2009. The regatta returned in 2022.

The full 2023 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta schedule is available on the official charlestonregatta.com website.

Sternwheel Regatta Schedule Announced

The schedule for the Sternwheel Regatta in Charleston this summer has been released, with five days of concerts, food and fun.

Mayor Amy Goodwin, alongside members of the Charleston Regatta Commission, announced the 2022 Charleston Sternwheel Regatta schedule during a press conference at Haddad Riverfront Park on Thursday.

Running from June 30 through July 4, the schedule features a beer festival, a carnival, basketball tournaments and much more.

Music will span an array of genres and include performances from Everclear to Martina McBride, and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra

The namesake Sternwheel Boat Races will take place Sunday, July 3 at 1 p.m.

The regatta began in 1971 and grew into a 10-day festival that featured boats on the river, sternwheeler racing and plenty of music featuring national artists.

Thousands of people ventured to Charleston’s levee on the Kanawha River to celebrate its tradition and the historic boats that were a part of its history.

The regatta last took place in 2009.

For a full schedule of events, visit the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta Facebook page, facebook.com/charlestonsternwheelregatta .

Sternwheel Regatta Returning to Charleston in 2022

A beloved festival that honors its river tradition is returning to Charleston.

The Sternwheel Regatta, a large city-wide festival featuring a flotilla of paddle-wheel boats, will return to Charleston, West Virginia next year.

Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin confirmed the announcement Friday at the city’s Live On The Levee performance in Charleston.

The regatta began in 1971 and grew into a 10-day festival that featured boats on the river, sternwheeler racing and plenty of music featuring national artists. Thousands of people ventured to Charleston’s levee on the Kanawha River to celebrate its tradition and the historic boats that were a part of its history.

The regatta’s last year was in 2009.

Goodwin said the popular festival will return over the 4th of July holiday weekend in 2022. She made the announcement alongside members of the Sternwheelers Association. She is seeking public input on the specifics of the regatta’s return.

Listen: Mountain Stage Remembers Hugh Masekela

The passing of Hugh Masekela at the age of 78 reminds us here at Mountain Stage of his two powerful performances on the show in 1989 and 1994.

In September of 1989, Hugh Masekela made his first appearance on Mountain Stage, bringing with him the rhythm of traditional South African music intertwined with the sounds of classic jazz. Through rhythms that made it easy to sway to, Masekela expressed the distress of his country at the time, singing “Bring Him Home”, a cry for the release of Nelson Mandela.

Masekela left South Africa in 1960, following the political unrest of the Sharpeville Massacre. Making a home in New York, he fell in love with the jazz community. Encouraged by greats like Miles Davis, Masekela pioneered a blend of American Jazz with traditional sounds and instruments of his home country.

In 1994, he returned to West Virginia for Mountain Stage, two days before playing “Bring Him Home” at the South African presidential inauguration of Mandela. This would mark the end of his self-imposed exile from his homeland that had lasted over thirty years.

“The second appearance was on May 8, just two days before Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as President of South Africa. The spirit on that show left a deep impression on all of us.” – Larry Groce, host and artistic director, Mountain Stage.

Mandela.mp3

Masekela performing the same song on May 8, 1994 on Mountain Stage.

“I am deeply saddened to read the news of Hugh Masekela's passing. We had the pleasure of having Hugh on our show a couple of times. The first time Nelson Mandela was still in prison. The second time was just before the inauguration of Mandela as President of South Africa. I was driving Hugh to our local airport, so he could begin his journey back "home" to take part in the inauguration festivities. As we were making our way to the airport I told him I never thought this day would come. He was looking out the window and, after a few seconds, he turned to me, with tears in his eyes, and said "…I wasn't sure it would happen either, Andy." My condolences to his family and friends. Here's to a great musician with an enduring legacy. May we keep his horn of freedom and justice blowing!” – Andy Ridenour, founder and past Executive Producer of Mountain Stage.

And from longtime Mountain Stage pianist, Bob Thompson:

“His appearance on Mountain Stage just before Mandela’s inauguration is one I’ll never forget. It was a true celebration! We celebrate your life and your gift to us Hugh Masekela. Rest In Peace.” – Bob Thompson

We can recommend this archival interview posted by PRI’s The World and NPR’s remembrance of Hugh Masekela.