WHEELING — The public is invited to Wheeling Park this Saturday to admire and help celebrate the talents of local artists and artisans at the 2025 Wheeling Arts Festival.

The city of Wheeling and the Wheeling Arts & Cultural Commission will host the annual extravaganza from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with events slated to take place throughout the park.

“This is the third year of this iteration of the Arts Fest,” Bethany Decker, festival chairperson, said. “The Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission has gained new members, and one of our goals was to bring this special event back to Wheeling.”

The Wheeling Arts Fest made a triumphant return in 2023 after a five-year hiatus. The original event had been held on the campus of West Virginia Northern Community College, but since its return, the arts fest has found a new home a little closer to nature at Wheeling Park. This year’s festival promises to bring more art, more fun and more experiences than ever before.

Prior to the official kickoff Saturday morning, a one-hour yoga event will take place at the Wheeling Park J.B Chambers Memorial Rink, with yoga instructor Lindsay Schooler accompanied by Wheeling Symphony Orchestra principal violist Jennifer Gerhard Mangone from 10-11 a.m. as part of the WSO yoga series.

Also new this year, local author Christina Fisanick has put together a “jam-packed agenda for literature lovers” inside the White Palace, Decker noted.

“She’s planned a multitude of events for readers, writers, thinkers and creatives of all ages,” Decker said.

The Writer’s Workshop will feature many events both inside and outside of the White Palace, including various literary readings, the “return of Mark Twain to Wheeling,” a magazine creation workshop, a 2025 flood archiving project, and open mic session and more kicking off at 11 a.m.

More than 40 local artists – including painters, photographers, potters, illustrators, jewelers, printmakers and more – will be featured at this year’s Wheeling Arts Fest.

Hannah Hedrick of Spore Print Press, left, teaches Joseph Stockham how to create a print on a tote bag during last year’s Wheeling Arts Fest at Wheeling Park. (File Photo)

“We believe that our community, the Ohio Valley, has a strong base of local artists with limitless talent,” Decker said. “Bringing our own people together like this encourages creativity in everyone, and it strengthens our communities. Sure, there are many gifted artists outside of our area, but we feel very lucky to have so many talented artists in our area. Let’s give them a platform and a place to thrive.”

Musical talent will also be featured at the festival, with a wide array of artists performing on two stages throughout the day. The main stage will be the Wheeling Park Amphitheater, which will host West Liberty University’s Steel Cassa kicking things off at 11 a.m. Hour-long sets by Wilhelm and the Screams, the Adrian Niles Band, the Skip Peck Trio and Old Hometown Bluegrass Band will follow, with Aristotle Jones and his Amazing Appalachian Soul Band performing from 6:30-8 p.m.

The side stage will feature local musical artists Sean Decker, Bolt Action, Epiphany, Isaiah Keez and Stone Campus, all performing 30-minute sets between main stage acts.

There will be plenty of fun for people of all ages at the Wheeling Arts Fest.

“Everyone can enjoy the many musical acts that will perform many genres, everything from steel drums to jazz to bluegrass to rock and soul,” Decker said. “This event is free and open to the public, and this year, we will feature a kids’ art table. Each hour, a new elementary school aged artist will have the chance to sell their own artwork. In turn, other kids will be able to see that they have a place where their creativity belongs right here in the valley. That sends a profound message. And of course, we will have inflatables, frozen treats and stilt walkers, too.”

The arts fest will host several community tables from various organizations around the Ohio Valley.

Local artist Mindi Yarborough of Wild Heart by Mindi designed this year’s Wheeling Arts Fest logo, which will be featured on all of the event’s merchandise. The Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission will have T-shirts, tote bags, posters and stickers for sale at the entrance of the park.

In addition to performing artists, visual artists and literary artists from the area, the arts fest will also spotlight local culinary artists. Local food trucks and vendor stations will include Midge’s Hot Dogs, Gringo’s Tacos and Tacet Coffee. Wheeling Park will also host food and drink tables.

“This event is one of the most exciting events this city has to offer,” Decker said. “Come enjoy the music and food, and support your local artists.”

For additional information, visit the Wheeling Arts Fest official page on Facebook.