Point Pleasant Regatta offers free, family entertainment

POINT PLEASANT -- You gotta regatta.

Loads of free activities -- contests, entertainment and riverboat cruises -- highlight the 2008 Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta today through Saturday.

"Our community, obviously, isn't large, nor do we have a lot of money, but we take pride in being able to put on an event like this for the local folks in an alcohol-free setting, without charging any admission price," said Jacob Hill, regatta committee president. "It's a very family-oriented event and a fun time. With gas prices, a lot of people are staying home this summer, so we hope they come check us out."

The hot ticket for the regatta is entertainer Chuck Wicks, who is an up-and-coming "newcomer veteran," according to Hill. Wicks will perform at 9 p.m. today at Point Pleasant's RiverFront Park.

"I call him a newcomer veteran. He's been writing songs in Nashville for about 10 years for other artists, and now he's writing songs for himself," he explained. "We've got people coming in from all over just to see him perform. You aren't going to see this type of concert free anywhere else."

Friday night features a fireworks display with a twist. For $25, guests can board a sternwheeler and enjoy dinner and the fireworks display on the Ohio River. Other cruise opportunities run throughout the three-day event -- some for as little as $10 per person.

Saturday has been designated Kids Day and will feature a variety of free children's activities, including a Bouncy House, contests for cookie stacking, hot dog eating and pizza eating, as well as free sternwheeler cruises with a clown and a magician. Parents must board the cruise to enable children to participate.

"We have a limited number of people who can board, so we suggest getting your tickets early at the information booth we'll have set up," Hill said.

For more information, visit www.pointpleasantregatta.org.