Photo by Eric Ayres Officials from the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, the city of Wheeling and event sponsors gathered outside of WesBanco Arena on Wednesday to announce the 20th anniversary of Symphony on Ice. The holiday tradition returns to the arena on Dec. 4. From left are Nina Rosenthal, sponsor; Meghan Ball of Belmont Savings Bank; Donnie Sheller, Main Street Bank; Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron; Julie and Brian Joseph of Touchstone Research Laboratory; WSO Director of Development Laura Rauch; Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder; and WSO Director of Foundation and Government Relations and Orchestra Librarian Gail Looney.

WHEELING — The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will celebrate 20 years of holiday magic this season with the return of Symphony on Ice.

One of the Ohio Valley’s most popular holiday events, Symphony on Ice will be held on Thursday, Dec. 4, at WesBanco Arena.

“We call ourselves the premier holiday event in the valley,” said Gail Looney, WSO Director of Foundation and Government Relations and Orchestra Librarian. “It’s early enough so that people can get right in the spirit.”

The WSO will perform an array of holiday favorites while skaters take to the ice to bring a unique visual element to the storytelling behind the music.

Skaters performing during the show range from those who participate in local youth clubs to professional skaters and even renowned Winter Olympians.

“We are thrilled to have Mariah Bell coming this year,” said Looney, noting that Bell represented the United States during the 2022 Winter Olympics. “We also have, of course, our Wheeling skaters and our Pittsburgh state club coming down, too. That always makes a wonderful program for us.”

Rising vocalist and Wheeling native Amanda McGovern will return to Symphony on Ice to perform several numbers with the orchestra. The vocal talents of many other special guests will also be featured during the upcoming holiday extravaganza.

“Our orchestra plays the music, and we have choirs from schools all over the valley who are going to be with us,” said Looney, who also plays the flute and piccolo as a member of the WSO. “We have our Wheeling Symphony Community Choir, and we also have a children’s choir this year, so it’s going to be a really wonderful opportunity.”

As always, the event is fun for people of all ages, and is especially exciting for parents of children who will be participating in this year’s show.

“They love seeing their kids up on the Jumbotron singing, as well as their children skating on the ice,” Looney said. “It just makes everybody feel very good.”

This year’s Symphony on Ice is presented by EQT Foundation, Paul T. Tucker and the city of Wheeling, with additional support provided by Main Street Bank, Belmont Savings Bank, Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ben and Lynne Exley, Nina and Kyle Rosenthal and the Spadafore family.

WSO Director of Development Laura Rauch said Symphony on Ice is a true community event that requires the efforts of many busy elves to deliver a spectacular experience for everyone each holiday season.

“It takes a lot of hard work from the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra,” Rauch said. “We thank our committee, and of course, we couldn’t do it without our sponsors. We’re very fortunate that we have the local support of businesses, individuals, families and foundations who are able to come forward and support this beautiful event that we’re able to put on for the people of our Ohio Valley and beyond.”

Tickets for Symphony on Ice are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.wheelingsymphony.com, by phone at 304-232-6191 or in person at the WSO box office at 1025 Main St., Suite 811 in Wheeling.