MOV Currents: Seasonal Activities in the Mid-Ohio Valley | News, sports, jobs

A group of witches, sponsored by the Parkersburg YMCA, dance in front of a crowd during the 2023 Monster Mash presented by Downtown PKB. (archive photo)

As fall continues and the year comes to a close, there are still some special activities planned for October through early December in the Mid-Ohio Valley.

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The 2024 Butcher Bend Autumn Festival will take place over two weekends in October, October 4-5. October and 11th-12th October. The activities take place from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Entry and parking are free. The costume contests take place every evening at 9 p.m. Paid activities include a haunted barn for $3 per person and hayrides for $3 per person.

There will be children’s entertainment, food, games and farm activities. Trunk or Treat activities will take place October 5th and 12th.

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is hosting its annual Blennerhassett Island Mansion by Candlelight on October 11th and 12th on the island near Parkersburg. (archive photo)

A pumpkin decorating contest will be held each day of the festival, with final judging taking place on October 12 at 9 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded. The competition age groups are 0-9 years, 10-16 years and 17 years and older. The decorator must bring their own pumpkins.

For more information, visit www.butcherbendautumnfestival.org.

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The Minted Vintage Market will be held Oct. 5 at the Wood County 4-H Campground on Butcher Bend Road near Mineral Wells.

Minted Vintage Markets are family-friendly, open-air events that feature over 100 small shop vendors from the region and beyond.

There will also be food trucks, live musical performances, vendor demonstrations and other activities. For the children there is a scavenger hunt, a separate area to stretch out and play, and a changing tent.

A food drive collects packaged goods and canned goods for local pantries.

The market is a one-day, general admission event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $5 per person. Early bird ticket holders come in at 9 a.m. and receive a wristband for exclusive discounts at 25 or more vendors at $10 per ticket. Parking is free.

All ticket information and event details can be found on the website at:

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Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is hosting its annual Blennerhassett Island Mansion by Candlelight on October 11th and 12th on the island near Parkersburg.

Visitors board the paddle steamer Island Belle at Civitan Park in Belpre to begin a journey to Blennerhassett Island and gain a glimpse into the world of Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett as it existed over 200 years ago.

Blennerhassett Island and its mansion are transformed into an 18th-century party, lit by hundreds of candles and lantern boxes. Docents dressed in period style greet visitors and there will be contemporary music and dancing, a card game and the opportunity to take part in planned outdoor activities on the island.

These activities include a horse-drawn wagon ride, the gift shop and a servant party bonfire with Appalachian music, clogging, apple butter making and haunting stories from local folklore.

A special candlelight “Harvest Dinner” (Picnic meal) will be available. It includes apple-rosemary roasted turkey, southern sage and celery dressing, whipped potatoes with roasted turkey gravy, sautéed green beans, green garden salad with buttermilk ranch or house Italian, dinner rolls and whipped butter, and assorted cakes. Drinks include coffee, tea and water.

The Thanksgiving feast is offered both evenings by reservation. Reservations are required by calling 304-420-4800.

Ticket prices are $37 for adults and $27 for children ages 3 to 12. Ticket includes round-trip boat ride, horse-drawn carriage ride, and Mansion by Candlelight.

Harvest Supper is $20 for adults and $10 for children.

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The Parkersburg Art Center will host two special events in downtown Parkersburg on Saturday, October 12th.

The Chalk the Block chalk art competition will be held on the 700 and 800 blocks of Market Street from 1 to 5 p.m., followed by ArtOberfest from 5 to 9 p.m

For the chalk art competition, artists will work in the 800 block of Market Street to create temporary artwork directly on the sidewalk. DJ Casey Powell will provide the music and the ArtBeat Studio crew will provide additional artistic entertainment.

At the eighth annual ArtOberfest, artists fill the block in front of the art center with unique and handmade items for shoppers. The evening’s musical entertainment includes performances by Moonking, the Sour Mash String Band and the Debarr/Stevens Trio.

There will also be food and drinks from WineDown on Market, Parkersburg Brewing Company, DJs Sweet Creations and local food trucks.

The art center and its gift shop, PAC713 Market, will also be open throughout the evening so guests can enjoy the WV Allied Artists gallery exhibition. The art center will also have an area set up as a Lego building station for children of all ages.

Both arts-focused events are free, but donations are accepted at the entrance and the funds go toward the PAC’s alleged arts education programs and help the PAC expand the Senior Arts Studio.

In the event of rain, ArtOberfest will be moved indoors at the art center while Chalk the Block is rescheduled.

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Downtown PKB will host its annual Monster Mash family event at Point Park in downtown Parkersburg on October 18th from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Monster Mash is a family-oriented Halloween party made possible by Downtown PKB and local businesses and community organizations that serve as vendors for the event.

Children can experience hands-on activities and trick-or-treat gifts offered by local businesses and community organizations. A DJ will be on site playing kid-friendly music. Wearing Halloween costumes is encouraged and the event is free to attend.

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The Friends of Vienna will hold their opening event “Glow on the O” on Oct. 19 at Spencer’s Landing next to the Ohio River.

The event starts at 3 p.m. and lasts until dusk. There will be food trucks, bounce houses and a pumpkin carving contest.

The focus of the event is a group of illuminated hot air balloons that rise into the air and illuminate the area on the banks of the Ohio River. The balloon pilots arrive at 5:30 p.m., the balloons start inflating and get up at 6:00 p.m., the flight takes place at dusk.

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The 13th Annual Christmas Craft Expo will be held at City Park in Parkersburg on October 19th from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Admission is free and there is food, vendors, crafts and other attractions.

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The 45th Annual Warren Band Boosters Fall Arts and Crafts Fair will be held November 2nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Warren Local High School in Vincent, Ohio.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and free for children 5 and under.

There will be over 130 talented artisans in attendance, including home decor, clothing, children’s items, holiday items, shed/man cave decor, kitchen items and more.

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More Christmas holiday activities will begin toward the end of November, with Christmas lights displayed in Parkersburg City Park, throughout Belpre and other communities.

The first Saturday in December traditionally hosts several holiday-themed activities, beginning with the Vienna Holly Days Parade on December 7 at 11 a.m., followed by the Parkersburg Christmas Parade at 2 p.m. in downtown Parkersburg.

Following the parades, the Downtown PKB Winterfest will be held on December 7th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be music, kid-friendly activities and more. A Winterfest ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., followed by fireworks and a tree lighting ceremony.