Capitol grounds transform for America250 celebration, Morrisey says celebration within $2M budget

The state Capitol grounds are being readied for West Virginia’s America250 Capital City Celebration, which kicks off Thursday. Other events are being planned across the Mountain State to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey held a press conference Monday in front of a 230-foot Ferris wheel — the America250 Wheel — that is being built for the event. The world’s tallest portable ferris wheel, it features 45 presidential-themed gondolas and rides will be free throughout the four-day celebration.

“This is going to be very special, and we think it’s really important for families to come and to take part in this,” Morrisey said. 

The governor told reporters that he expects the event to stay within his estimated $2 million budget. It is being paid for out of the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund. Lawmakers put money into the fund each year, often earmarking money for certain projects, but the money is largely used at the governor’s discretion. 

“This is an incredible and unmatched opportunity for people to come out and experience West Virginia and see all the amazing sites that we have. That’s priceless,” Morrisey said. “West Virginia is wild and wonderful, and having a really great celebration, I think, sends a message within the state and across the country that West Virginia does it right.”

The Charleston celebration begins July 2 at 5 p.m. The four-day event will feature family entertainment, historical exhibits, artisan vendors, guided Capitol tours, fireworks and more. A nightly “Liberty and Lights” projection show will be displayed on the state Capitol building. Free musical performances by Alabama, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and the Marshall Tucker Band are planned for the event.

Saturday includes the official America250 Ceremony honoring Gold Star Families, veterans and active-duty service members, followed by a performance from the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

“You’re going to experience patriotic music, the presentation of the colors, a reading from the Declaration of Independence, the winning entry from the governor’s America250 poetry contest, and special tributes to those who have defended our freedoms,” Morrisey said. 

The governor also highlighted West Virginia’s statewide America250 initiatives, including more than 50 county mural projects celebrating America’s founding. A statewide bell-ringing initiative is planned at noon on July 4.

“I’ll be traveling to different parts of the state, beginning that Thursday and leading through the weekend, because I think it’s really critical that we celebrate all 55 of the counties, and I’m really excited about that,” Morrisey said. 

A complete schedule of Capital City Celebration events, along with a statewide calendar of America250 activities, is available at www.wv250.com.