Know Before You Go: West Virginia Prepares for Four-Day Capital City Celebration

Essential information for attendees ahead of America250 Celebration

Charleston, W.Va. – 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 Avenue, along with all of California Avenue, 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. 

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 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 Lindsey.R.Funk@wv.gov. For media assistance during the event, please contact (681) 217-4314.

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This post was last updated on June 29, 2026

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