PARKERSBURG - Spring sprang early with temperatures approaching 70 on Saturday, although Sunday was the first official day of spring.
Despite a drop in temperatures on Sunday, the weekend for many - especially Saturday - was the first chance to enjoy the outdoors without wearing heavy winter clothing and shorts and light shirts were the order of the day.
In Parkersburg's City Park, people turned out Saturday for a day of playing games or walking. There was also a baseball game between Parkersburg High School and Lewis County High School.
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A spring-like day in the Mid-Ohio Valley
Tait Hackett said he and his family were out for the first time in awhile enjoying the warmer than usual day.
"It's a great day for us to be out, we're just here watching the children play and enjoying it all," he said. "We took the dogs for a walk earlier,."
Angela Hackett agreed Saturday was a good time for an outing.
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Playing in the sand volleyball courts at City Park on Saturday were, from left, Lindsey Davidson, Cherish Sams, Kaleb Sams and Kylee Vandergrift. (Photos by Jeffrey Saulton)
"It's a beautiful day," she said.
Cody Hall and Tyler Gherke, both of Parkersburg, were at the basketball courts playing a game of one-on-one basketball. Both said they played last week, but the warm weather this weekend was a welcome addition.
"We played last week, but this is good," Hall said.
Dan and Blake Casto were out at the basketball court for a game as well.
"We're just practicing basketball," Dan Casto said. "We've been coming out for the past few weeks," he said. "This is a great day to be out."
Taking their four dogs for a walk Saturday were Gary and Marianne Bradley. They said they and their dogs were out enjoying the spring preview that was Saturday.
Gary Bradley said one of the dogs they were walking, Lamont, is a seeing-eye dog in training while two others, Keaton and Packer, were seeing-eye dogs at one time.
At Civitan Park in Belpre a lot of activity was also occurring on Saturday. For Mike Ferrell and Steve Lyons it was a day to get the baseball field at the park ready.
"We are getting ready for the little league season," Ferrell said. "It's been a great day for getting out to work on this."
For the Lemon family, Saturday was a play time.
"We were at softball practice, but now it's over we are having some fun at the park," said Angela Lemon.
Saturday's spring-like conditions will last for a few more days. For today, the forecast is for a high in the low 70s with a 40 percent chance of showers.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the temperatures will be near 60 with a 70 percent chance of showers on Wednesday. Highs will be down to the 40s on Thursday and Friday with mostly cloudy skies.
