Photo Provided Pictured, from left, are Sam Winer, Jae C Lehew, and Donna Smittle (all of the RegattaFest’s committee), New Martinsville City Recorder Bonnie Shannon, and New Martinsville Mayor Steve Bohrer.

New Martinsville City Council recently voted to rename River Lane to REGATTAFEST WAY. Mayor Steve Bohrer stated “Because of the tireless effort of the RegattaFest Committee the past five years to conduct a quality event, city council is recognizing the event by renaming River Lane between North Street and Jefferson Street, RegattaFest Way.”

Because of the completion of the Fireman’s Park, all the RegattaFest activities in 2017 will be in the vicinity of the park and Main Street between North Street and Washington Street will not be closed as has been done in the past. This will allow for normal business hours to be conducted by businesses on Main Street over the RegattaFest weekend, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.

The Fireman’s Park, pavilion and new city docks would not be possible without many years of hard work by the volunteers of the Riverfront Development Committee. The RegattaFest first used this area in 2012 for two days of one-quarter mile Record Runs. The event progressed to racing in 2013 in addition to the record runs with both inboards and outboards. Over 40 straightaway records have been set at this location since 2012 including Inboard, Stock Outboard, Mod Outboard, Outboard Performance Craft, Superlight Tunnel, Bass Boat and Junior Classes.

Please join the organizers for the sixth RegattaFest, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.