This WV town has one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations

You could say that Independence Day is Ripley’s favorite holiday. Ripley’s 4th of July celebration dates back to the late 1800s, making it the oldest parade and Independence Day Celebration in West Virginia. Today the legendary celebration brings visitors from across the state to partake in its fun Independence Day activities, and is designated as the USA’s largest small town Independence Day celebration.

Perfect for the Kids

You can expect a day full of fun that the whole family can enjoy. Start the day bright and early with the Little Patriot Hour. Bring the kids down to the Courthouse lawn to meet their favorite superheroes. Characters include, Batman, Captain America and Wonder Woman. Afterward, head on over to the I-77 Group Stage where you can watch the opening ceremony.  The grand parade stating at noon is one you will not want to miss! After the parade head over to the municipal parking lot for the Gambill Amusement Company carnival, which will feature all the classic carnival activities you know and love.

Musical Performances

There will be four musical performances to enjoy during this year’s celebration. Local West Virginia artist Corey Hager and Kurt & Kami kick off the concert starting at 2 p.m. on the I-77 Group Stage. Ladies for Liberty follow staring at 4 p.m. These ladies bring the patriotic sound to Ripley during their performance which is a harmonic tribute to The Andrews Sisters. Parrots of the Caribbean take the stage at 6 p.m., where they will perform a combination of original tunes, a blend of Zydeco, Rock Country, blues and Jimmy Buffett tunes for the whole audience to enjoy. The final show will be a performance from Dwight Icenhower, an award-winning Elvis tribute artist.

Fireworks

The day will end with the great fireworks show starting at 10 p.m. Make sure to get there early to get the perfect spot for the colorful show!

For more information about this 4th of July celebration, check out the events website here!

This post was last updated on August 3, 2020