POINT PLEASANT — This year’s Point Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta parade will feature more than just festival royalty.

The mascots of West Virginia’s two largest universities will be in attendance and will serve as parade grand marshals today. Both mascots are Point Pleasant High School graduates, and Regatta Committee Chairman Jacob Hill said that he was very excited to have them participate in this year’s parade.

Rebecca Durst, the West Virginia University Mountaineer Mascot, is the second female mountaineer in the school’s history. Natalie Tennant, West Virginia’s current secretary of state, was the first female mascot from 1990-1991. After the official “Passing of the Rifle” ceremony on April 17, Durst began her service as the Mountaineer.

The Mountaineer cheers on the crowd at all WVU football games, men’s and women’s basketball games, soccer games and many other athletic events that the University hosts. As Mountaineer, Durst has already traveled the state to make appearances at elementary schools, fairs, festivals and parades.

Durst, daughter of Ron and Jody Durst, grew up in Point Pleasant and graduated from PPHS in 2007. She was voted Most Active Female in her graduating class and participated in varsity track, cheerleading, FBLA and was a member of the National Honor Society.

Durst is currently a junior pre-nursing major and is very active in the Student Government Association and Makeover Morgantown activities.

Serving as Marshall’s Marco is Trey Barker, a junior broadcast journalism major. According to Barker, his status at Marco came out of the blue. He tried out for the mascot position at the beginning of his sophomore year, and during tryouts he was required to deliver a skit and do several impromptu to test his abilities as mascot. After his winning skit, which took a stab at rival WVU, Barker took on the role of Marco.

As Marco, Barker said that he has had many wonderful experiences and even made history as he was part of Marco’s makeover. Barker has traveled to many places as Marco, including Texas and Louisiana. He described being Marco and having the chance to represent Marco as an absolute honor.

The parade is slated to begin at 11 a.m. on Main Street and also will feature floats of several clubs and organization, this year’s Regatta Queen Summer Searls, Regatta River Princess Katherine Deem and other festival royalty.