Know Before You Go

Parking & Transportation

  • Kanawha Boulevard will be closed to traffic between Greenbrier Street and California Avenue, 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 Laidley Field.

Additional Road Closures

  • In preparation for West Virginia’s Capital City Celebration, motorists are advised that a portion of Kanawha Boulevard and California Avenue will be closed to traffic beginning Wednesday, July 1.
  • Location: Kanawha Boulevard from Greenbrier Street to California Avenue, and all of California Avenue
  • Dates: July 1–5
  • Purpose: Event setup, operations, and public safety for the Capital City Celebration

Musical Entertainment

  • Entertainment will be free, featuring 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 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.

Fireworks

  • A fireworks extravaganza will take place on Friday, July 3 at 10 p.m.
  • Attendees can watch the citywide fireworks from the Capitol on Saturday, July 4 beginning at 9:30 p.m
  • Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

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 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.

Weather

  • To help attendees stay safe during the America 250 celebration while temperatures are expected to be high, several heat-related precautions will be in place throughout the event.
  • A dedicated air-conditioned cooling tent will be available on-site for anyone who needs a break from the heat. 
  • Attendees looking to get out of the sun can also take advantage of several indoor activities at the Culture Center, including the State Museum Scavenger Hunt, History Alive demonstrations, and a Sensory-Friendly Area. Guided tours of the State Capitol Building will also provide opportunities to cool off indoors. For children, water-based inflatables will offer a fun way to stay cool.
  • Medical personnel will be stationed on-site throughout the event, and ambulances will be available if needed. Staff will circulate throughout the celebration and will be available to assist guests and help connect them with medical personnel if necessary.