Photo by Eric Ayres Oglebay has big plans in store for its annual Salute to Patriotism on the Fourth of July holiday, with activities planned all weekend long and an America 250 fireworks show on July 3 that promises to be bigger and better than ever. From left are Eriks Janelsins, president and CEO of the Oglebay Foundation; Brandie McFarland, treasury management sales officer for Community Bank; Travis Wade, vice president and market executive of Community Bank; and Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission.

WHEELING – Oglebay will celebrate America 250 with a big, multi-day Salute to Patriotism with events taking place throughout the coming holiday weekend.

Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission, this week said Oglebay is gearing up for a patriotic extravaganza with fun for the whole family.

“We’re very excited to host another wonderful holiday celebration for America 250 with the support of Community Bank and the Schenk Family Charitable Trust,” he said. “They help us put on a really great show around the Fourth of July.”

Festivities kick off on Friday, July 3, with a foam party, inflatables for kids, a deejay and more during the day before the band MSM takes the stage for live music at 7 p.m. followed by a fireworks show like Oglebay has not seen in the past turns guests’ attention to the sky after dusk.

“Because of the extra added attention to this year’s celebration – the America 250 – we’ve added another location, so we’ll be shooting off fireworks from two different locations at the same time. It’s going to be beautiful. It’s going to really light up the skies,” Peckenpaugh said. “We’ve got skydivers coming in. It’s going to be an amazing day.”

And the celebration continues all weekend long.

“On Saturday, we’ll have a new event – the Firecracker 5K Run through the park – hopefully everyone will be able to come out for that,” Peckenpaugh said. “Then on Sunday, we’ve got an Americana Beach Celebration, where we’ve got steel drums playing, a hot dog eating contest and a tribute band playing Beach Boys Music, as well.”

Inflatables will be available each day at Schenk Lake. An All-American Pool Party will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Crispin Center Pool, complete with a poolside barbecue, live music and family friendly activities. Sunday’s activities will include live steel drums in the formal gardens, beach-themed games and activities, a hula hoop competition and a performance at the Oglebay Amphitheater of Beach Boys tribute band Surf’s Up.

A red, white and blue theme has been present at Oglebay throughout the year in observation of America’s 250th birthday this year. And the holiday fun will be unfolding at Wheeling Park next week, as well.

“Down there, we’ll have an All-American Dinner Gala that we’re hosting on July 1. It’s a beautiful setting with Tivoli lights down on the roadway outdoors by the amphitheater. It’s just a wonderful event,” Peckenpaugh noted, adding that throughout the holiday weekend, Wheeling Park will be offering various activities for a special rate of $2.50 to carry on the America 250 theme.

Eriks Janelsins, president and CEO of the Oglebay Foundation, thanked Community Bank for supporting Salute to Patriotism for its third year in a row, and it is an event that continues to grow.

“It’s an incredible celebration in the heart of the summer here in Wheeling,” he said. “A number of years ago, the Schenk family decided to help us shoot off fireworks at Schenk Lake, and that’s grown into a park-wide event.”

Now, thanks to the continued support, the celebration spans several days with activities throughout the parks all holiday weekend.

“This will be the best fireworks show I think we’ve ever shot here,” Janelsins said. “People have to make it a priority to come see it. We’re so excited for the community to come up and see what your park will offer this weekend.”

Travis Wade, vice president and market executive of Community Bank, said they were proud to sponsor the big Salute to Patriotism at the parks once again.

“It’s been amazing to see every year. It continues to grow,” Wade said. “Families get excited about this. Kids light up, and this provides lasting memories that go beyond just this event. This is something that the bank loves to see, and we love to have this kind of impact in our community.”

For additional information and a full schedule of activities for Salute to Patriotism, visit oglebay.com.