Sternwheel Festival marks 50 years with fireworks, drones and air show on the Ohio River

The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary and the U.S. semiquincentennial with a three-day event in Marietta, Ohio, and Williamstown, West Virginia, from Sept. 11-13, 2026. Organizers say the Saturday night show will be the festival’s largest ever, combining fireworks, drones and aerial performances over the Ohio River.

Why it matters: - The 2026 festival ties a local milestone to the nation’s 250th anniversary, giving Marietta a high-profile role in America’s semiquincentennial celebrations. - The event is expected to draw more than 100,000 festival-goers over three days, making the anniversary programming a major tourism and regional draw. - The show will spotlight the Ohio River’s place in American history and the Ohio Valley’s sternwheel heritage.

What happened: - Organizers announced plans for a three-day Ohio River Sternwheel Festival from Friday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. - The festival will span the Ohio River between Marietta, Ohio, and Williamstown, West Virginia. - Saturday, Sept. 12, will feature a combined aerial show, drone display and fireworks spectacular set to patriotic music. - The festival is also marking its 50th anniversary, having been founded in 1976.

The details: - The Saturday evening program is being billed as the festival’s largest and most ambitious visual presentation. - The aerial show will include precision flight performances and aviation demonstrations. - Hundreds of drones will create patriotic and historical images in the night sky. - The finale will be a large fireworks display launched over the Ohio River. - The event will include riverfront viewing on both sides of the river. - Sunday will include sternwheel races. - Friday through Sunday, the festival will also offer live entertainment, food vendors, a classic car show, an art show and family activities. - The festival has grown into one of the Mid-Ohio Valley’s signature events and one of Ohio’s premier festivals. - The celebration will also serve as a signature event for Marietta’s commemoration of America’s 250th birthday. - Marietta is the first permanent settlement in the Northwest Territory.

Between the lines: - The festival is leaning into a bigger production format to stand out among the many local events marking 2026’s national anniversary. - Pairing drones, aircraft and fireworks suggests organizers are aiming for a more modern spectacle while still emphasizing the riverboat tradition at the center of the festival. - The location choice reinforces a historical narrative that connects the Ohio River to westward expansion and early American settlement.

What's next: - Organizers will move toward final production planning for the Sept. 12 show and the full Sept. 11-13 festival. - Spectators can expect additional details on viewing areas, programming and event logistics before the festival begins. - The festival’s social channels list updates at Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - The Ohio River Sternwheel Festival is using its 50th anniversary to stage a major patriotic showcase that blends history, aviation and fireworks on one of the country’s most symbolic waterways.