Let the countdown begin!  Days after celebrating the birth of our nation, we go to celebrating the modern day founder of our city, Michael Benedum.  The annual Bridgeport Benedum Festival will be held in the Bridgeport City Park July 10-12 and this year promises to offer even more events, activities and fun. 

 

The festival kicks off on Thursday with the “City of Champions Parade” and the first annual Teen Night.  Brendin Holt, a Christian rapper who attends BHS, will be the opening act starting at 8:00.  Local favorite Hannah Cotrill will perform at 8:45, followed by music and light shows by BHS’s very own DJ Logan Davis.  Throughout the night, there will be a series of giveaways, including a MacBook Air, concert tickets, and gift cards to American Eagle, Dicks, Gourmet Café, Almost Heaven, WVU Fan Zone, and Starbucks.  At the end of the night, there will be a huge shaving cream battle.

 

Throughout the festival, there will be carnival rides, music, inflatables and food available for attendees.  The Second Annual Oil and Gas Expo will also be a main attraction at the event.  On Friday, Weedrags will be performing at 6:00, followed by recent winner of the National Dream Recording Contest, will take the stage at 8:00.

Saturday will begin with the 18^th Annual Challenger 5K, held at the Bridgeport High School track at 8:30.  The Pet Parade follows at 10:00 and

then the NURU Bucket Walk will take place at 10:30.  Bridgeport Benedum Festival’s Got Talent will begin at 3:00, with a $500 prize going to the winner.   Antique cars will be on display starting at 4:00 in the Bridgeport High School parking lot and the evening will be filled with local talent.  Lauren Starkey, Aaron Gallagher, 2^nd Street and Greg Harrison will be featured on stage throughout the nighttime activities and the festival will end with a bang, as the fireworks begin at 9:30.

 

The 2014 Bridgeport Benedum Festival is sponsored by the City of Bridgeport, The Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Bureau, Connect-Bridgeport.com, Bridgeport Parks and Recreation, Bridgeport Express Care, The Exponent Telegram, Glotfelty Tire Center, PDC Energy, Harry Green, Pratt & Whitney, Bridgeport Annuity Exchange, City National Bank, Clarksburg-Harrison Cultural Foundation, Demonlay, and Star Furniture. 

 

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.bridgeportbenedumfestival.com.

 

Editor's Note: Photos courtesy if Ben Queen from benqueenphotography.com