CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Governor Patrick Morrisey is traveling across the state to attend West Virginia’s America 250 celebrations.
Morrisey began his tour in Kanawha County, where he rode the 230-foot Ferris wheel on the state Capitol grounds. He then traveled to Jackson County for the opening ceremony of the Mountain State Art and Craft Fair at Cedar Lakes Conference Center. He ended his day in Harrison County where he attended and addressed the Wheeling Symphony Concert.
Morrisey appeared on MetroNews Midday on Wednesday to discuss the importance of traveling across the state to attend community events.
He said it is an honor to be part of the celebration as governor.
“I feel so humbled to serve as the governor during this time, it’s just such a historic period for our country and West Virginia, so I am excited to take it in,” Morrisey said. “But, we’re also running around trying to make sure that everything is going to get pulled the right way, I think it will, there’s a great team of people putting a lot of time and effort into this.”
He said the West Virginia Department of Tourism, the General Services Department and law enforcement agencies worked together to prepare for the celebration.
Morrisey said the celebration is an opportunity to honor the nation’s history and celebrate America.
“It is a wonderful time to be here in West Virginia and to be an American, and I think we should take pride in our country, and show patriotism really does matter and I’m just hopeful that people can put aside the partisanship of the moment and realize there are good things in the world to celebrate,” he said.
A schedule of remaining events include:
July 3
– 3 p.m. Ringing of the Bell ceremony at Blennerhassett Island State Park in Wood County
– 6:45 p.m. address Salute to Patriotism Celebration at Oglebay in Ohio County
July 4
– 7:30 a.m. Participate in Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park Walk in Jefferson County
– 9 a.m. Participate in Town of Bath’s flag raising ceremony in Morgan County
– 12 p.m. statewide bell ringing at Ripley High School in Jackson County
– 3 p.m. Participate in Hurricane Independence Day Parade in Putnam County
– 6 p.m. Participate in America250 Official Ceremony at capitol in Kanawha County
July 5
– 7 p.m. Participate in America250 Marshall Tucker Band concert in Kanawha County
Morrisey said he hopes West Virginians will use the celebrations as an opportunity to appreciate America.
“Lets take a little bit of time and focus on the fact that America is unique as a nations state in civilizations history,” he said.