|Photo by Derek Redd| The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra announced its annual "Celebrate America" tour, which includes a July 4 performance at Heritage Port. Pictured are, from left, Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder; WSO Development Director Laura Rauch; Wheeling Assistant City Manager Bill Lanham; Expand Energy Human Resources Business Partner Mary Davis; WSO Music Director John Devlin; and Belmont Savings Bank Marketing Director Alicia Jordan.

Maestro John Devlin, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor, looks at the WSO’s upcoming “Celebrate America” tour as one of his favorite parts of the year. It’s the opportunity to showcase the symphony’s talents throughout West Virginia, as well as perform in the Friendly City to celebrate America’s birthday.

This year, that return home to Heritage Port on July 4 carries even more meaning, as Ohio County has been hit hard by deadly flash floods that have devastated several communities. Because of that, the organization is planning aspects of the event to help those communities recover.

Devlin said the WSO held an emergency meeting Monday to figure out what it could do to help. There will be elements added to the symphony’s July 4 performance at Heritage Port, set for 8 p.m., that will support flood relief. There are also discussions being had to put on a flood relief concert on another day, collaborating with other local musicians, where all the proceeds will benefit flood victims.

“Those talks are ongoing,” he said. “And as soon as we have the details, we’ll let the entire community know.”

Devlin said that, in a small way, a performance like the one on July 4 will serve as a celebration and a uniting point, a gathering of the community as it navigates through tragedy.

“I think a gathering to celebrate the best of Wheeling – the symphony, the community and supporting each other – and the beautiful backdrop of the Ohio River and the hills behind it, those are the things I will take as a very firm memory of all the years leading up to this one, but of this one in particular, because of the scenario we’re facing.”

The WSO has scheduled three other performances on the tour – 8 p.m. July 3 at the Clarksburg Amphitheatre, 8 p.m. July 5 at the Weirton Event Center and 3 p.m. July 6 at Canaan Valley Resort. Those out-of-town performances are sponsored by Expand Energy, the Cultural Foundation of Harrison County, Tucker County Alpine Festival, and the Top of West Virginia CVB.

“It’s exciting for Expand to be able to support the Wheeling Symphony’s Fourth of July Concert Series,” said Mary Davis, human resources business partner for Expand Energy. “We believe in the power of community and the joy that music brings to celebrations like this. It’s an honor fu us to bring such a meaningful event to life for our neighbors and families.”

The July 4 performance in Wheeling is sponsored by City of Wheeling and Bellaire Harbor Freight. All concerts on the tour are free of charge.