By Erin E. O'Neill
The Marietta Times
No matter how local residents choose to show their patriotism, there will be no shortage of ways to do so this weekend.
Beginning on Friday with the annual Red, White and Blues Festival at the Lafayette Hotel, the weekend festivities will also include a parade and, of course, a fireworks display.
"There will be plenty to do if you want to get away to Marietta for the weekend," said Jeri Knowlton, executive director of the Marietta-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There's the farmers market on Saturday (at the fairgrounds), a Valley Gem cruise and the fireworks on Sunday and parade on Monday."
Fact Box
If you go
What: Demolition Derby
When: Saturday. Pits open at 2 p.m., gates at 7 p.m.
Where: Washington County Fairgrounds.
Cost: General admission is $5, pit passes, $20.
For information: www.washcountyfair.org.
What: Independence Day fireworks display following Southern Ohio Mud Bog Shootout .
When: Sunday, around 10 p.m. (nightfall).
Where: Washington County Fairgrounds and surrounding areas.
Cost: $7 to get into grandstand or free to view fireworks from other locations.
For information on the Mud Bog or to sign up: www.washcountyfair.org
What: Marietta Independence Day parade sponsored by AMVETS Post 1788
When: Monday; line up beginning at 9:30 a.m., parade kicks off at 10 a.m.
Where: Gathering at Fourth and Butler streets, goes down Fourth to Putnam, Putnam to Second, Second to Butler, Butler to Front and wraps up at the Armory on Front St.
Cost: Free.
The annual display is held at the Washington County fairgrounds and will begin as soon as it gets dark, around 10 p.m.
"The display will last about 30 minutes and it is absolutely a family-friendly event," said Lyndsay Offenberger, communications and public relations coordinator for the CVB.
Fair board member Bonnie Gill said that there won't be any midway rides this year but still plenty of fun for all.
"Last year was the first year in a long while that we had rides and this year we aren't going to be able to have them again," she said. "But we will have concessions and the grandstand is obviously the best place to see the fireworks."
A demolition derby will also be held at the fairgrounds Saturday evening, with gates opening at 7 p.m.
Then on Monday residents can head downtown for the annual Independence Day parade, sponsored by AMVETS Post 1788.
Participants are asked to line up around 9:30 a.m. on Monday near the Hermann Fine Art Center at Fourth and Butler streets.
Several units, including Boy Scouts, law enforcement and military, will snake around the areas between Putnam and Butler streets and end at the Armory on Front St. The parade is expected to last about 90 minutes.
