Gallery: Harris Riverfront Park through the years

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

David Swisher of the U.S. Coast Guard hooks up a buoy to a hard boom in June 1997 to be taken out into the Ohio River to trap an oil spill near Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

The main entrance at Harris Riverfront Park is covered by the flooding of the Ohio River during the flood of 1997.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Esther Justice, left, and Rose Riter plant flowers June 1997 in a pot at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Rema and Frank Manns of Barboursville came to see the Delta Queen in August of 1997 at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Carl Vaughn, left, reels in his line while Greg Mack gets something from his tackle box in August 1998 near Harris Riverfront Park during a bass fishing tournament sponsored by the Wayne County Bass Club.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Members of various area rescue squads gathered at Harris Riverfront Park in August 1998 to take part in a swift water rescue training program for the Tri-State Fire Academy.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

People were in line in October 1998 to tour the River Exlorer while it was docked in Huntington. The boat, which is part of the Riverbarge Excursion Lines, was making its second stop at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Chuck Hryniewicz bastes the ribs he’s barbecuing in August 1998 at the third annual Riverfront Ribfest at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Neil Bouchillon, right, and Meg Cash watch the Huntington Symphony Orchestra in June of 1998 during the orchestra’s “Picnic with the Pops” program at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

The dedication of the expansion of Harris Riverfront Park was attended by public, state and local dignitaries in May of 1998.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Early crowds gather around the amusement rides at Summerfest '98 at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Seventeen-year-old Joshua Hutchings of Huntington races along the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park on his personal watercraft in June of 1999.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Violet and Bob Blakely of Oklahoma City stop to talk to Andy Morriss of Huntington as he was fishing at the Harris Riverfront boat dock in October of 1999. The Blakelys were riding the American Queen.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Artist's rendering of the proposed gateway to Harris Riverfront Park in June of 1999.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Katie Jenkins of La Habra Heights, Calif., carves during practice in the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park in July 1999.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Children and adults ride the Round Up between rain showers in July 1999 during Summerfest at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Harris Riverfront Park before renovation. Date unknown.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Volunteers and members of the United States Coast Guard work together at Harris Riverfront Park in June 1999 during the Ohio River Sweep. As boats unloaded the trash, a pick-up truck backed down to the dock to haul the trash up to the dumpsters.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Artists rendering of Harris Riverfront Park in June 1999.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Huntington mounted police officer Chris Jackson rides his thoroughbred, “Mick”, out of line to be recognized by Mayor Jean Dean at Summerfest in July 1999.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Tall grass and litter plague Harris Riverfront Park in May 2000.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Rob Bortolameolli of Lakeside, Calif., goes airborne during the Amateur Freestyle competition at the 2000 IJSBA National Tour at Harris Riverfront Park in July 2000.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

One of the stalls in the women's bathroom near the playground has been defaced with graffiti at Harris Riverfront Park in May 2000.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

April Enix and her daughter, Brittnie Lineberg, have a flock of pigeons come to get some of the popcorn they were throwing out at the boat ramp at Harris Riverfront Park in September 2000.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Graffiti is common on the outside of the west end restrooms at Harris Riverfront Park in May 2000.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Bob Plummer of Hermann, Mo., discusses his group's portrayal of the Lewis and Clark expedition with a visitor in September 2000. A group of nearly 20 re-enacters spent the night at Harris Riverfront Park as part of the re-enactment of the initial journey.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Andria Panell, right, and Crystal Ballard push Artie Betts towards the pins in human bowling at Ribfest at Harris Riverfront Park in August 2000.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Solomon Williams of Carolina Rib King of Senaca, S.C., burns off the excess meat and barbecue sauce with a torch during Ribfest VI at Harris Riverfront Park in August 2001.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Spectators tune into "Rugrats in Paris" as part of the Starlight Cinema at Harris Riverfront Park in July 2001.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Conservation officer Stan Hickman takes a look at debris gathered by the boat docks at Harris River Front Park from the side of a Trtion Vessel before the River Sweep 2001.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Five-year-old Ciana Crawford takes a bite of her cotton candy while listening to the music at the Picnic with the Pops 2001 at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Marshall fans cheer on the Thundering Herd at "Fun-Der on the River in September 2001 at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

The R/B River Explorer docked at Harris Riverfront Park in July of 2001. The public was allowed to tour the barge while guests were taken to Beckley to view a coal mine.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Dennis Bundy, right, sprays fans with water in September 2001 during X-Fest at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Daryl Canterbury leads his elaborately decorated boat into Harris Riverfront Park before the start of Marshall's first home game of the 2002 season.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Jazz fans roll down the Ohio River in June 2002 listening to the sounds of the Backyard Dixie Jazz Stompers band during the first run of the PA Denny jazz cruise of the weekend.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Members of the Herd Navy dock in Harris Riverfront park prior to a Marshall home game in September 2002.

Trees are submerged in water

The sun sets as nearly 500 people gather at Harris Riverfront Park for Jazz-Mu-Tazz in June 2002.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Trees are submerged in water at Harris Riverfront Park in November 2003 after heavy rain caused water levels to rise in the Ohio River.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Keith "The Kite Man" Harrison of Huntington prepares to fly his handmade kite in April 2003 at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Boats begin to gather at Freedom Fest at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington as the sun goes down on a sweltering Friday July 4, 2003, holiday.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Water from the Ohio River overtakes the Harris Riverfront Park Ampitheater in January 2004.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Water from the Ohio River overtakes the Harris Riverfront Park Ampitheater in January 2004.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Boy Scout Troop 20, Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, help their community by picking up garbage and debris from the banks of Harris River Front Park as they participate in the Ohio River Sweep 2004 in Huntington.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

A water fountain at Harris Riverfront Park is surrounded by water in February 2004 as the Ohio River's water level rises due to recent rain.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Rib cookers banners light up the night sky in August 2004 during Ribfest IX at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

A family visits Harris Riverfront Park in January 2005 to get a glimpse of the high water of the Ohio River.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Four-year-old Ben Wheeler of Huntington checks out the flooding in January 2005 at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

The flood-swollen Ohio River nearly covers planters at Harris Riverfront Park in downtown Huntington in January 2005.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

After cresting in January of 2005, the Ohio River is starting to recede back into its banks at Harris Riverfront Park.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Boaters take advantage of the warm weather in June of 2005 near Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Patrons exit the Belle of Cincinnati riverboat on Tuesday, July 6, 2004, at Harris Riverfront Park following a two-hour lunch cruise on the Ohio River. Patrons were treated to a buffet-style lunch, live entertainment and bingo.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Workers renovate the barge at Harris Riverfront Park in preparation for the Huntington Symphony Orchestra's 2005 Picnic With the Pops. About $70,000 worth of renovations took place on the floating stage.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Rachell Staats picks up litter in Harris Riverfront Park Saturday, June 18, 2005, during the Ohio River Sweep. The 17th annual event sweeps more than 3,000 miles of shoreline from Pennsylvania to Illinois.

File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Mark MacGregor, left, and Frank Hayes pick up litter in Harris Riverfront Park Saturday, June 18, 2005, during the Ohio River Sweep. The 17th annual event sweeps more than 3,000 miles of shoreline in over 100 counties from Pennsylvania to Illinois.

Matt Hempel/The Herald-Dispatch

Conductor Kimo Furumoto leads the Huntington Symphony Orchestra and the audience in the National Anthem Saturday, June 17, 2006, during the Picnic With the Pops concert at Harris Riverfront Park.

Matt Hempel/The Herald-Dispatch

Rod Duncan and his children Amanda, 15, Matt, 12, and Ashley, 8, watch the Huntington Classic Challenge powerboat racing Saturday, August 13, 2006, in Harris Riverfront Park.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Visitors look over the classic cars on display during the Wings and Wheels Festival on Saturday, June 23, 2007, at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington. The festival featured a car show in addition to children's inflatables, free music and chicken wings from several vendors.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Several residents and public officials have been complaining about the deteriorating conditions of Harris Riverfront Park, shown here in June of 2007.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Several residents and public officials have been complaining about the deteriorating conditions of Harris Riverfront Park, shown here in June of 2007.

Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch

Fourth of July fireworks were fired off in conjunction with the Huntington Symphony Orchestra's performance at Harris Riverfront Park on Saturday, June 30, 2007.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

City workers use heavy machinery to clear the area known as "Tent City" along the banks of the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park on Monday, July 9, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

City workers use heavy machinery to clear the area known as "Tent City" along the banks of the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park on Monday, July 9, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

City workers use heavy machinery to clear the area known as "Tent City" along the banks of the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park on Monday, July 9, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

City workers use heavy machinery to clear the area known as "Tent City" along the banks of the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park on Monday, July 9, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Debris is left behind in the area known as "Tent City" along the banks of the Ohio River near Harris Riverfront Park. City workers used heavy machinery to clear the area Monday, July 9, 2007, in Huntington.

Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch

The X-Fest 2007 crowd rocks to Papa Roach at Harris Riverfront Park on Saturday, September 1, 2007, in Huntington.

Mark Webb/The Herald-Dispatch

Dream Fest III takes place at Harris Riverfront Park with reggae groups EVER-G and Shayar on Friday, June 29, 2007.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Overgrown weeds along a pedestrian walkway at Harris Riverfront Park obstruct the view of the river and bridge in October 2007.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

A park bench at Harris Riverfront Park is missing part of the seat and is littered with spray paint in October 2007.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Huntington's Harris Riverfront Park amphitheater, seen here in October of 2007.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Huntington's Harris Riverfront Park has the potential to be as much of an attraction for the city as those in other communities. It's seen here in October of 2007.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

The 10th Street entrance of Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, seen here in October of 2007.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

The 10th Street entrance of Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, seen here in October of 2007.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Deron Runyon of the Huntington-Ironton Empowerment Zone speaks during a public forum Thursday, October 25, 2007, at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. The purpose of the forum was to discuss ideas on developing Huntington's Harris Riverfront Park, as well as long-term solutions to making the riverfront a tourist attraction.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Park maintenance worker Randy Spurlock disposes of garbage and debris at Harris Riverfront Park on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Park maintenance worker Randy Spurlock cleans the men's restroom at Harris Riverfront Park on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Park maintenance worker Randy Spurlock sweeps up garbage and debris at Harris Riverfront Park on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Robin and Gene Howell of Huntington plant more than 100 pansies at Harris Riverfront Park Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Huntington.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Robin and Gene Howell of Huntington get some help from volunteers with planting more than 100 pansies at Harris Riverfront Park Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Huntington.

Howie McCormick/The Herald-Dispatch

Several park benches at Harris Riverfront Park have been vandalized in December of 2007. The backs of the seats were bent backward on several of the benches that face the Ohio River.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Graffitti covers the exterior walls of the public restroom building Monday, March 24, 2008, at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington.

Dave Lavender/The Herald-Dispatch

Harris Riverfront Park was named after David W. Harris, executive director of the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority from 1961-1983.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Gene and Robin Howell of Huntington pose for a photo near some of the flowers they have planted at Harris Riverfront Park in May of 2008. The Howells moved here about two years ago from California and since then, have dug into their own pockets to help beautify Harris Riverfront Park and now City Hall.

Jeremy McKnight/For The Herald-Dispatch

Dwayne Walters, Scout Leader of the Order of the Arrow, picks up litter along the riverbank for the Ohio River Sweep at Harris Riverfront Park on Saturday, June 21, 2008.

Lori Wolfe/The Herald-Dispatch

Huntington's Harris Riverfront Park is a prime place in the city for people to enjoy the Ohio River. The park is seen here in June of 2008.

Chris Harris/The Herald-Dispatch

Aaron Eplion watches as Colby Black reels in his line Sunday, June 29, 2008, at Harris Riverfront Park.