photo by: Emma Delk

The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team will perform two water ski shows, including jumps and flips, at Heritage Port during the Ohio River Splashtacular: Make Waves for Easterseals.

WHEELING — The Ohio River 2025 Splashtacular will offer a “flotilla” of water-themed activities this summer to benefit Easterseals Rehabilitation Center.

The Splashtacular will be held Sunday, June 8, from noon to 4 p.m. at Heritage Port. The event will include water ski shows, SMART Centre Market science demonstrations, Oglebay Zoo animal exhibits and presentations by the West Virginia Rivers Coalition and WVU Ohio County Extension Services.

The Ohio River will be the stage for the event’s main attraction: the Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team’s water ski shows at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. These 40-minute shows will include skiers in pyramid formations and barefoot, backward and tandem skiing. A 6-foot ramp will also be anchored in the river at the Heritage Port center stage for skiers to perform jumps and flips.

“The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team is honored and excited to have the opportunity to perform for the communities in and around Wheeling,” Doug Ribley, past president and executive committee member, said. “The setting is perfect, and the support from event officials has been outstanding.

“In addition to a 6-foot ski jump, we will be bringing the most exciting ski show acts to Wheeling, including a women’s ballet line, wakeboard, shoe ski and around-the-boat.”

The Splashtacular will carry on the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta’s tradition of using the Ohio River as a stage since the regatta will be moving to New Martinsville. Easterseals Marketing Director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said the Splashtacular will help fill the gap of river activities available in the valley due to the regatta’s move.

“When I was growing up in Florida, my family would see water ski shows at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, so it’s nostalgic for me,” Bethel-McFarland said. “There are so many events at Wheeling Heritage Port, but not many events use the river itself as a stage, which is what we wanted to do. The river is a really important part of our community, and I’m glad we’re celebrating it through this event.”

Wheeling Convention & Visitors Bureau Marketing Director Olivia Litman said the water ski shows would bring a “vintage style” to the event. She noted that an event of this kind had not been held in the over 17 years she has been with the Wheeling CVB.

“We’ve been getting a lot of interest as we promote this,” Litman said. “We are always excited when people from outside the area come in to perform, and Easterseals is doing just that with this group of individuals that’s coming to perform on the river.”

Litman is thrilled that another event is taking up the regatta’s mantle in providing entertainment on the Ohio River for the Friendly City. She added that Wheeling was “very fortunate” to have the river as an amenity and said it was “underused” as a resource.

“I think this event will draw people in, not only in cars, but on boats to watch it,” Litman said. “Our Heritage Port is a prime location for any type of event, so when you combine all its assets in the Splashtacular, it will be a win-win. This will not only take advantage of the Ohio River and Heritage Port, but people can also enjoy the shows from the view of the Suspension Bridge.”

Other river-themed activities will be available at Heritage Port between the water ski shows. Libby and Robert Strong of the SMART Center will perform water physics science shows for attendees at the splash pad next to Wesbanco Arena.

Oglebay Zoo will bring amphibians and reptiles that call the river ecosystem their home for attendees to learn about. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition will perform water pollution demonstrations, and WVU Ohio County Extension will have a water cycle activity.

A Campbell Transportation river towboat will also be docked at the Veteran’s Amphitheater at the port. A towboat pilot will be on shore to answer questions about the boat and his role as its pilot.

Robert J. Gaudio-Troubadour will provide live music. Smiley Ann’s Photo Van will also be available for photos.

Attendees can grab a snack or lunch from local food trucks parked at the port.

The Splashtacular will also replace the regatta as a fundraiser for the children served by Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. Raffle tickets are available now for the grand prize of a Yamaha Jet Blaster DLX, with second and third prizes of $1,000 in groceries. Tickets are $20 each. A large basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle will also occur at the event.

Bethel-McFarland said Easterseals is grateful to Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration for stepping up as the presenting sponsor. Top sponsors include Scott Winters, the City of Wheeling, WesBanco, the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, CONSOL Cares Foundation, River Heritage Foundation (Debbie and Dan Joseph) and WTRF-TV 7.

Bridgeport Equipment and Tool provided a discount for the Yamaha Jet Blaster DLX for the raffle. Merco Marine chipped in a Wave Port valued at $2,500. The retail value of the grand prize is $11,300.

Thanks to the help of event sponsors, Easterseals will be able to take home all the profits from the raffle. Bethel-McFarland noted that “every dollar raised” from raffle profits will be able to provide “life-changing services” for children and families in the Ohio Valley.

“All the raffle proceeds will benefit Eastseals’ mission, so that is really appreciated,” Bethel-McFarland said. “Sometimes new events are a hard sell, but everyone has been excited and enthusiastic about this event. Now we just need to pray for good weather on that Sunday, and it will be a great weekend.”

Jet Blaster and groceries raffle tickets are available to purchase at Easterseals in Wheeling, Tommy’s Classic Touch in Wellsburg, Gary Dietz-Allstate in Wheeling, SMART Center Market in Wheeling, The Original PJ’s Pizza in Moundsville and New Martinsville, Nana’s Landing in Glen Dale, Fusion Fitness in Warwood and Miklas Meat Market in Wheeling. Tickets will be available the day of the event until the drawing at 4 p.m. For information, call Easterseals at 304-242-1390.