The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra performs with Eli Lambie and the Mojo Kings at a previous Indepenence Day celebration at Wheeling’s Heritage Port. The WSO will be the headliner at Heritage Port again this year. (File Photo)

WHEELING — The Ohio Valley sky will once again be decorated with plumes of fireworks for Independence Day on Friday — and those attending the events throughout the region will have a great night to enjoy them.

Fireworks displays are scheduled in several spots Friday, and the Ohio Valley’s weather should not be a hindrance to the light show. The National Weather Service in Wheeling is calling for mostly clear skies and a calm wind by the evening. The low will dip to 63 degrees after climbing to a high of 87 during the day.

That should give Independence Day events a perfect canvas for the fun. In Wheeling, the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will once again entertain at Heritage Port starting at 8 p.m. as part of its “Celebrate America” tour.

It has become a Friendly City tradition both to gather by the Ohio River and listen to the WSO as it performs several popular and patriotic pieces.

“The WSO is honored to be part of the city’s Independence Day celebrations,” said Maestro John Devlin, the WSO’s music director. “I cannot wait to be back at Heritage Port and hear the city singing along to ‘Country Roads,’ ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ and so many other pieces as we celebrate nearly 250 years of our beautiful country.”

This year, the WSO will welcome soprano Vanessa Becerra as the performance’s guest artist. Selections on the program include patriotic mainstays like “America the Beautiful” and “Stars and Stripes Forever”, as well as numbers from movies such as “West Side Story,” “Superman,” and the “Indiana Jones” movies. Becerra will also perform several operatic pieces.

“The City of Wheeling is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the Wheeling Symphony,” said Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron. “Their performances are a treasured part of our community’s cultural fabric, and we are thrilled to once again sponsor the July 4th celebration. It’s a time-honored tradition that brings us together in the heart of our city to celebrate our nation and the spirit of Wheeling.”

In Moundsville, Valley Fork Park will once again be fireworks headquarters. According to the Moundsville Fire Department, the show will start around 9:45 p.m. and is scheduled for 20-25 minutes. It will feature 1,320 shells, including a grand finale of more than 600 shells. If inclement weather postpones tonight’s fireworks in Moundsville, the makeup date is Saturday.

In Steubenville, folks can get a double dose of Fourth of July entertainment. Not only will there be fireworks and bands at Historic Fort Steuben for its traditional Independence Day event, but the city will also hold First Friday on Fourth.

Steubenville Mayor Jerry Barilla said three different bands will perform on the stage at Historic Fort Steuben’s Berkman Amphitheater on Friday – the five-horn BrassetHounds at 6 p.m., the Ron Retzer Trio at 7 p.m. and Eli and the Mojo Kings at 8 p.m. The fireworks show will then begin at 9:40 p.m.

First Fridays feature local music, beer from local breweries and local food, along with plenty of fun, as well as free kid-oriented games and activities — including a children’s parade, water balloons, bouncy castles and tug-of-war competitions.

In addition to the fan favorites performing at the amphitheater, the Fourth Street Stage will feature Ashley Best at 2:30 p.m., Faire May at 4:15 p.m., Flavor Sauce at 6 p.m., John Paul Von Arx at 7:45 p.m. and the Trainjumpers after the fireworks.

Meanwhile, on the Market Street Stage, Cooper Crowe begins playing at 6 p.m., Matt Hill & Friends at 7 p.m. and DC Cardelli at 8:30 p.m.

Linda Harris contributed to this report.