The Charleston Sternwheel Regatta returns July 3 through 7. Thousands lined the banks of the Kanawh River for the first time in 1971 to watch the majestic sternwheelers parade up and down the river and it’s been an annual tradition then, with time off for the pandemic. The Regatta was the winner of the 2022 Mountain State Award that is presented by the WV Department of Tourism.