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Smith Orthodontics Ripley Team is proud to provide braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic treatment for the residents of Ripley and the surrounding areas.
About Ripley, West Virginia
Ripley is located halfway between Parkersburg and Charleston and serves as the county seat for Jackson County, West Virginia. Approximately 3,300 people call Ripley home and exemplify the town’s slogan: “Proud of our past and excited about our future.”
Downtown Ripley is home to many historic homes and commercial buildings, including the railroad depot, which was constructed in 1888 and operated until the railroad closed in 1964. The Alpine Theater showed its first film on Christmas Day in 1936 and is currently home to Jackson County Players. It is also a stop on the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail.
Ripley WV Parades and Festivities
Ripley proudly holds the title of having America’s largest small town Independence Day celebration. The all-day celebration starts with a two-mile run and a parade featuring the high school marching band, city officials, the Ripley Queen and her court, and local businesses and churches.
Live music and a carnival provides entertainment throughout the day, and fireworks run by the Ripley Fire Department caps off the festivities. This outstanding display of patriotism captured the interest of President George Bush and The Today Show, who both visited Ripley on the July Fourth.
Ripley also hosts an annual Veterans’ Day parade, which honored over 700 vets in the Tri-State in 2019.
A parade through downtown Ripley also kicks off the West Virginia Chocolate Festival each year. Visitors also enjoy tasting the chocolatey creations of numerous vendors, hearing live music, taking horse-drawn wagon rides, and visiting with various Disney characters and mascots.
Mountain State Art & Craft Fair
The Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley is the home of the annual Mountain State Art & Craft Fair. While the fair was originally intended to be a one-time event to celebrate West Virginia’s centennial in 1963, it was so well-received that it became an annual event.
The arts and crafts fair highlights the talents and heritage of West Virginia. Juried artisans showcase local crafts such as basket weaving and pottery, traditional music and dance are performed, and visitors can submerge themselves in the Civil War with interactive displays and reenactments.
Restaurants in Ripley, WV
From national chains to independently owned cafes, Ripley has plenty of places to eat. Fast-food options include Wendy’s, Shoney’s, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, and Arbys.
For a meal with a more international flair, Las Trancas and Cozumel offer authentic Mexican dishes, and China Buffet provides a wide variety of options.
If Italian is more your style, there are several places to get a pizza, sub, or pasta. Fat Albert’s Pizza on Church Street is known for their enormous 20-inch pizza and homemade crust. In addition to pizza, Maka Mia Pizza Subs & Pub also has subs, burgers, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and wings, making a good option for families or groups with varied tastes. The signature sub at Gino’s Pizza and Spaghetti House is the Pubwich, which consists of their original pizza dough folded around sandwich toppings like chicken, ham, or steak.
For a homestyle breakfast or lunch, you can go to the Downtowner Restaurant on N Court Street, or try a biscuit creation from Tudor’s Biscuit World. Great American fare can be found all day at Helena’s Country Cafe, Simply Blessed, and the Fairplain Yacht Club.
If you’re wanting to top off a meal with something sweet, or you’re an 80s horror fan, there’s no better place in town to get dessert than I Scream Sundae. Traditional sundaes and over-the-top creations are served in an ice cream parlor with a haunted house/classic monster movie theme.
HGTV Hometown Takeover
When HGTV announced it would be hosting a new series, Home Town Takeover, that promised to preserve and restore the downtown of one of America’s most endearing small towns, Ripley’s mayor, Carolyn Rader, knew she had to throw her hat in the ring.
She created a video showcasing the town and its residents, and offering ideas about how it could be made even better with HGTV’s help.
While Ripley was not chosen as the first town to be featured, the video is still a great testament to the town and the people who call it home.
Smith Orthodontics is conveniently located at 3 Hospitality Drive, Suite 2, in Ripley. We offer quality, comprehensive orthodontic care to children, teens, and adults. Our most popular treatment options include:
We accept all major insurance coverage and offer affordable payment plans to ensure treatment fits within your budget. We encourage you to see for yourself why Smith is the trusted name in orthodontics in Ripley.
Are you ready to learn more about Braces and Invisalign®?
Contact Smith Orthodontics, the trusted orthodontist in Ripley WV and Parkersburg WV, to learn more about how we can give you the smile you’ve always wanted.
Call our office at (304) 865-0000 or click the button below.