The Sara Hayes Band will kick off the outdoor stage entertainment at the Festival of Memories on Saturday at 3 p.m.

The sixth annual Festival of Memories will fill downtown New Martinsville Saturday and kick off with a few activities on Friday.

Riverfront Development Committee, that puts on the event, has decided to jump start the festival with a Children’s Sort Film Festival at the Lincoln Theater on Friday from 7-9 p.m. The free event will feature mostly Disney shorts thanks to native Eddie Mensore who formerly worked for Disney.

Relatedly, Mensore’s 90-minute film, The Deposition, that was shot locally using some local actors, will be shown at the theater next weekend, July 22 and 23, at 7:30 p.m. The free showing is also sponsored by Riverfront, however they decided to schedule it at a different time as it is not suitable for children.

This Friday is also the first day for the 23rd annual New Martinsville River Heritage Quilt Show. The beautiful handiwork will be on display both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at West Virginia Northern Community College’s New Martinsville campus. In addition to quilts on display, there will also be demonstrations and vendors. Registration for the show will be today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no admission or registration charge.

The first Saturday event is the Cruisers Unlimited Car Show on South Main Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contests throughout the day will include horseshoes, 1 p.m.; corn hole, 2 p.m.; and sidewalk chalk art (children), 7 p.m. There will not be other children’s games this year or the end-of-the-night giveaway as in the past. “There really isn’t the funding to do that,” explained Santina Vigliotti, committee member.

Fireworks will begin at approximately 10 p.m.

There will be live marble making, 3:30 p.m., and swing dance instruction, 4 p.m. The kids can get their faces painted and take home a balloon creation. Twenty-five vendors are confirmed for an artisan fair and in the morning there is the weekly farmers market that is invited to remain for the rest of the day. A World War II exhibit will be on display all day in the Shiben Building. Sternwheel boat rides will be given at 1, 3, and 5 p.m. for a nominal $1 fee. Free horse and buggy rides will be available from 4-6 and 7-9 p.m.

The entertainment on the stage in front of Norris Tire kicks off with Sara Hayes Band, 3-5 p.m. Hays, the petite lady singer with the big voice from St. Clairsville, is bringing her new band to the festival. Besides her duet singing/rhythm guitar playing partner of the last few years, Mike Schumacher, the band members include Larry Burch, lead guitar and vocals; Scott Bach, bass; and Bill Armstrong, drums and background vocals. The band plays an eclectic mix of blues, rock, R&B, funk, with a sprinkling of jazz and country overtones.

Other stage entertainment will be 5:30-7 p.m., One Accord; 7:30-10 p.m., Streamline; and 8:30-9:30 p.m., Phillip & Henry Magic Show. Also, Endless Shadows will play from 6-8 p.m. near the city building.

The day will close with a spectacular fireworks display when the sky gets completely dark, approximately 10 p.m. sponsored by the River Heritage Foundation. Organizers say the pyrotechnics will be put on by a different, very professional and organized, company this year. For more information visit the Festival of Memories event page on Facebook.

The 23rd annual New Martinsville River Heritage Quilt Show will be on display both Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at West Virginia Northern Community College’s New Martinsville campus.

Sternwheel boat rides will be given at 1, 3, and 5 p.m. for a nominal $1 fee.

The sidewalk chalk contest at the Festival of Memories is always popular. It will be held at 7 p.m. in front of Mim's Gallery.