WHEELING — After the past two weeks in the Upper Ohio Valley, everyone could use a distraction.

Starting Saturday, June 28, local communities will be offering something to take your mind off the rainfall, the flooding and the cleanup.

Two fireworks shows are set for June 28: one in Wintersville and also one in St. Clairsville, at Central Park, as part of the city’s Community Days. Both shows begin at dusk.

Following that, there are a host of fireworks displays over the coming days to lift spirits and think about our nation as it celebrates its 249th birthday. The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will perform twice next week to mark the Fourth of July — first, on Thursday, Independence Day, the orchestra will play starting at 8 p.m. at Heritage Port in Wheeling, and then at 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, prior to the fireworks in Weirton at the Weirton Events Center.

Get out, enjoy the shows and remember what’s always been so great about our nation — its people. Enjoy the fireworks this coming week at these venues, with all shows starting at dusk, unless otherwise noted:

Saturday, June 28

– St. Clairsville, Central Park

– Wintersville

Thursday, July 3

– Bethlehem Community Park

– Oglebay Park, Schenk Lake

– Wells Township

– Woodsfield

Friday, July 4

– Chester

– Moundsville, Valley Fork

– Steubenville, Fort Steuben

– Wellsburg

– Wheeling, Heritage Port

Saturday, July 5

– Barnesville Memorial Park

– Cameron

– Patterson ballfield, Elm Grove

– Hundred

– Martins Ferry

– Toronto, 10 p.m.

– Weirton

– Wheeling Island, at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack