The summer is heating up with annual events in downtown Marietta, Ohio. The second weekend in July offers a number of special events worth checking out.

The hottest race boats in the world will unleash full-bore exhilaration during the annual Marietta Riverfront Roar Powerboat Superleague Races July 9-11 along the Ohio River levee.

Raw horsepower riding on the water’s edge, powering through turns at top speed, streaking down the straights at an average 115 mph.

That’s Powerboat Superleague, the world’s oldest and the nation’s most respected tunnel boat circuit, owned by the nation’s foremost producer American Power Boat Association Events Group.

There are activities and events scheduled throughout the weekend to complement the power boat races including the Marietta Merchants and Artists Walk throughout downtown and Historic Harmar Village, the 5k Run/Walk for the Roar, fireworks, and much more.

For a complete list of activities, visit www.MariettaOhio.org or call the Marietta/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-288-2577.