POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Three days full of activity at Riverfront Park and at other locations around Point Pleasant will mark the 2009 Sternwheel Regatta that celebrates the Independence Day holiday next week.

Queen and princess pageants, entertainment, cruises and a fireworks display are among the highlights of the Regatta, which includes on its schedule favorites and activity for families.

The Regatta opens Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. at the State Theater as eight young ladies compete for the title of Regatta Princess. Contestants include Madison Barker, Brooke Bartrum, Haleigh Bonecutter, Katherine Deem, Alara Craddock, Sydney Crawford, Erykah Roach, Whitney Layton and Ariane Wells.

On Thursday, July 2, the Regatta goes into full swing starting at 5 p.m. with the Cornhole Tournament at 5 p.m. in front of The Mason Jar, followed by the Gospel Evening at 6 p.m. at Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. Groups scheduled to perform are The New Prophets from Nitro, Ron Shamblin, The Connor Family from Flatwoods, Ky., and The Tignor Group. The event is expected to close around 10 p.m.

The Regatta Queen pageant is at 6 p.m. Thursday at the State Theater. Looking to win the crown are Tabatha Burrough, Lindsey Deem, Meghann Hesson, Summer Searls and Jessie Wamsley. At Riverfront Park, Crashing Jericho performs at 7:30 p.m. and Blue Sky Falling takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Friday’s activities kick off at 5 p.m. with the Corn Chow Down Challenge at Riverfront Park at 5 p.m., followed by the Pet Evening at 6:30 at Tu-EndieWei State Park and dedication of the B.R. DeWeese, also at 6:30, at Riverfront Park.

The Pretty Baby Contest is at 7 p.m. at Tu-Endie-Wei Park, while Adam D. Tucker will be on stage at Riverfront Park at 7:30, followed by Whitney Duncan at 9.

For July 4, the Pleasant Valley Hospital 5K Run starts things out early at 8:30 a.m. at old North Point School. The Regatta Parade down Main Street starts at 11 a.m., while Kids Day activities begin with the game show at noon.

This includes marble ice fishing, 1 p.m.; Hole in the Bucket Relay, 1:30 p.m.; Can you whistle?, 2 p.m.; Balloon head relay, 2:30 p.m.; Jump rope splash, 3 p.m.; Water spoon relay, 3:30 p.m.; Over and Under relay, 4 p.m.; Game show, 4:30 p.m.; Bubble blowing contest, 5 p.m.; and a Hula hoop contest, 5:30 p.m. All activities are at Riverfront Park.

The line throwing contest is at 2 p.m. at the Point Pleasant River Museum, and at 6 p.m., the Colgate Country Showdown takes the stage at Riverfront Park. Heavens Rush performs at 8 p.m. at Tu-Endie-Wei Park.

Fireworks are at 10 p.m., while Rockin’ Reggie is under the spotlight at 10:30 in the post office area.

Regatta cruises are slated July 3 and 4. On Friday, a midnight party cruise with karaoke and DJ with Kip runs from 11:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Saturday, the dinner and fireworks cruise is from 9 until 11 p.m., and on both Friday and Saturday, one-hour cruises will be available at 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m.

Tickets for the midnight party cruise are $15 each, $25 for the dinner and fireworks cruise and $8 for the one-hour cruises. Tickets can be purchased at Advance Design (675-4873), the Mason County Tourism Center (675-6788) and WBYG-FM (675-2763).

Tickets for the one-hour cruises can be bought at the boat. Adult beverages will be sold on all cruises by Ruble’s Sternwheelers.