Hurricane marks America’s 250th birthday with parade, fireworks, community celebration
By Vanta Coda III, RealWV
HURRICANE, W.Va — The City of Hurricane, West Virginia, celebrated a family-friendly Fourth of July on America’s 250th birthday with a bang.
Family Wealth Group, one of four platinum sponsors of the City of Hurricane event, not only supports the community through services that assist older West Virginians with
retirement planning and financial needs, but also act as a key contributor to Hurricane events and celebrations throughout the year.
City of Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards says the partnership with Family Wealth Group over the past three years has been invaluable in supporting the city events.
“We have a celebration every year, and Family Wealth Group is one of our major sponsors every year,” Edwards said. “We know they’re going to be there at all events. Every time, without question, they’re there at parades, Independence Day, Spring Festival, the Harvest Festival,
pumpkin carving and the Christmas parade.”
Brian Staples, chief financial officer and chief operating officer of The Family Wealth Group, said that this collaboration with the City of Hurricane is something they have enjoyed since opening its West Virginia. branch three years ago.
“We love the leadership that Mayor Edwards and his team brings to Hurricane,” Staples said. “We are fortunate to be one of the sponsors. We’re a company who believes in giving back to the community, and our excitement just comes from knowing that we can be part of a 250th-year celebration of our country’s birthday.”
The event kicked off with a parade down Hurricane’s Main Street, which featured floats from local businesses, queens and misses of different pageantry groups, Hurricane police and fire departments, an abundance of candy for children, and an appearance by Gov. Patrick Morrissey.
Other sponsors of the City of Hurricane Independence Day Celebration included Best Virginia Heating and Cooling, Cardinal Chevrolet, and Putnam County Bank. Through the contributions of these and many more local businesses, event attendees enjoyed free cold, bottled water, Huskey’s soft serve ice cream, fresh watermelon, cotton candy, and 250th commemorative T-shirts. Concessions and a variety of local food truck options were also available for purchase.
Planning for the especially warm forecast, the City of Hurricane and event sponsors provided extra shaded areas, as well as water stations and misting tents for the event. This ensured all attendees could stay cool during the post-parade festivities, which included children’s activities, a hot dog eating contest, live music, and one of the biggest firework displays in the state, showcasing what a 250-year hometown celebration of America looks like in the land of country roads.
