WHEELING - There was a noticeable chill in the air Friday morning, but a reminder that warm, sunny days aren't far off came as Wheeling officials announced the city's summer events schedule.
A concert featuring 2011 "America's Got Talent" winner Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., a Logan County, W.Va., native, is among the more than 60 events planned at Heritage Port and other venues around town between May and September, said city Marketing Director Allison O'Konski. The June 16 concert is part of Wheeling's West Virginia Day activities, marking the Mountain State's 149th birthday June 20.
"I'm really excited to say that Wheeling is offering this event free to the public," O'Konski said, noting such offerings wouldn't be possible without the generosity of JPMorgan Chase, who is sponsoring the summer events for the fifth consecutive year and on Friday presented officials with a $10,000 check.
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Photo by Ian Hicks
Wheeling Marketing Director Allison O’Konski announces a summer calendar of events during a Friday press conference at Heritage Port.
Riverfront Movie Nights are back for five Fridays this summer at the Heritage Port amphitheater, but with a twist: This year, the public got to choose the lineup through an online survey. Winners included "The Muppets," which will be shown June 8; "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," June 15; "Sherlock Holmes 2," June 29; "The Vow," July 6; and "Toy Story 3," July 20. Movies begin at 7:30 p.m., with the Vineyard Church providing free popcorn.
Local musical talent will fill the air once again during the city's annual Tuesday and Wednesday summer concert series, with Toe Tappin' Tuesdays at Warwood's Garden Park the second and fourth Tuesdays in June, July and August, and Toe Tappin' Tuesdays Too at the Wheeling Park Amphitheater the first and third Tuesdays.
The Waterfront Wednesday concert series includes events each Wednesday from June 6 to Aug. 29, except July 4, Independence Day.
Other city-sponsored events include the Wheeling Feeling Chili Cook-Off on June 2, the Wheeling Car Show on July 1, and the "Party on the Patio" in front of WesBanco Arena Aug. 3. These join other summer favorites such as the Bikes, Brews & Barbecue Rib Cook-Off June 22-23, the Ohio Valley Black Heritage Festival June 24, the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival July 27-29, BluesFest Aug. 10-12, Wine and Jazz Fest Aug. 25, the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta Aug. 31-Sept. 2 and the Sternwheel Festival Sept. 13-15.
Mayor Andy McKenzie said he's looking forward to another great summer and making a lasting, positive impression on those who help support the city by staying at local hotels, eating at local restaurants and browsing local stores when they come to town for these events.
"They become part of our community for these days, and they go back to wherever they're from and talk about Wheeling, W.Va.," McKenzie said.
O'Konski also thanked Chesapeake Energy for providing funds to print brochures highlighting all the events which will be available in the coming weeks.
