Ashton Basham
"You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat!" at Hinton's 2022 Water Festival!
Skip to the bottom for a full schedule of all Water Festival activities!
Come one, come all to the 57th Annual West Virginia Water Festival! From July 22nd to the 30th, have some fun and enjoy one of Hinton’s best festivals of the year! From some friendly
competitions to crowning new “royalty,” there will be plenty of entertainment for everyone!
Along with all the exciting activities, join the community in awareness of the Water Safety
Program by the Army Corps of Engineers! Stop by the week-long celebration of all things
“aquatic!”

Two of Hinton’s best Water Festival events is both the Fireman’s Parade along with the Grand Parade! These parades light up the town in celebration of the festival, especially the Fireman’s Parade. On the evening of July 29th, watch the flashing lights and hear the sirens of many fire stations in neighboring cities and counties across southern West Virginia! From old fire trucks to all kinds of other floats, it’ll be a parade you don’t want to miss. The following day, enjoy the Grand Parade to cap the events of the West Virginia Water Festival!
Going all through town, catch all the parade floats with queens, kings, groups, and several other “famous” things around Hinton. During the festival, there will be a couple friendly competitions to get the community connected. If you’re feeling lucky, then why don’t you test your luck and participate in the fishing tournament at Bluestone Lake from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 23rd. Cast your lines to see if you come out on top with the biggest catch. If you don’t feel like casting a line, however, cast your vote on the Prettiest Baby in town, starting at 6:30 p.m. on July 28th!
Some new royalty will be crowned during the West Virginia Water Festival! Little Miss and Mr. Mermaid and Merman will be crowned at City Park on July 22nd, so come on out and support the new little heirs to the throne. On July 26th, the Queen’s coronation will take place and will crown the new Queen Mermaid for the city of Hinton!
Feeling a little hungry throughout this long week full of fun? If so, then you need to sit down
and enjoy your most important meal of the day with the Kiwana’s Pancake Breakfast at St.
Patrick’s Catholic Church on July 29th and 30th from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m.
We’re in the middle of the summer and what better way to beat the heat than taking a dive in one of Hinton’s rivers or lakes. While enjoying the cool water and relaxation, it's important to know how to enjoy the rivers and lakes in safe way. Throughout July 29th and 30th , everyone is welcome to participate in some of the Water Safety activities sponsored by the Army Corps of Engineers. Along with these activities, there will be a Life Jacket Giveaway during the Water Safety Presentation on the 3
0th . If you want your little ones to be a part of the Safe on the Blue Crew, stop by and get fitted for a life jacket!
There’s going to be plenty of fun and exciting things to take part in during the Water Festival! If you would have any questions about any of the events or the Water Festival entirely, contact a member of the WV State Water Festival Committee for more information or visit https://www.facebook.com/wvwaterfestival today!
Schedule of Events
July 22nd
Little Miss and Mr. Mermaid and Merman @ City Park 6:30pm Contact Jesse Cozort
July 23rd
Fishing Tournament @ Bluestone Lake 5:00am-5:00pm Contact PC Bait
July 24th
City of Hinton Sensory Hour @ Wild Water Express 11:30am-12:30
July 26th
Queen’s Coronation @ The Ritz Theatre 7:00pm
July 28th
Pretty Baby @ TBA - Registration 4-6pm Contest Starts @ 6:30pm
Contact Heidi Richmond - Amy Richmond- City Hall
July 29th
Kiwana’s Pancake Breakfast @ St Patricks Catholic Church 7:00-11:00am
Vendor Event @ Court House Lawn 11:00am-10:00pm
with music by DJ Greg Swagger 5:00- 10:00pm
contact Pamela Hartwell
Safety on the Blue Activities during Vendor Event
Fireman’s Parade @ Through the city of Hinton 8:00pm
Fireworks to follow Fireman’s Parade
July 30th
Kiwanas Pancake Breakfast @ St Patricks Catholic Church 7:00-11:00am
Vendor Event @ Court House Lawn 11:00am-9:00pm
with music by DJ Greg Swagger 1:00- 9:00pm
contact Pamela Hartwell
Grand Parade through town @ 12:00 noon contact Brittany Meadows
Water Safety Presentation by the Army Corps of Engineers following parade
Life Jacket Giveaway-Safety on the Blue Crew-- life jackets are limited and will only be given to children under the age of 18, on a first come first serve basis, the child must be present on Saturday during Army Corps of Engineers presentation to be fitted
Magic Show – Keith Adkins @ 2:30pm
City of Hinton Night Swim @ Wild Water Express 8:30-11:30pm