A brand-new downtown Wheeling festival was a resounding success as reported by event organizers. The inaugural Circus Saints and Sinners Party on the Plaza music festival, held recently at the Plaza on Market, resulted in the organization donating $35,000 to WVU Medicine Children’s according to event chairman Paul Smith.
“Through the generosity of our corporate sponsors, and the tremendous support from the local community, we were able to raise $35,000 for children’s hospital,” Smith said. “We couldn’t be more pleased, especially for our very first year.”
Billed as the “summer’s hottest party,” the festival was well-attended and featured all-day live music, food trucks, and adult beverages.
“Over 800 people packed the Plaza on Market and partied to continuous live music from three of the region’s top bands,” Smith said. “When the sun went down, the lights—and the energy—went up. The crowd was dancing in the aisles and singing at the top of their lungs. People didn’t want it to end.”
The event was sponsored by The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register and was presented by Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration. Gold-level support was provided by Broadwater Properties, Bordas and Bordas, Lowe’s, and Edward Jones Investments.
Silver sponsors include Gumby’s, Main Street Bank, Williams Lea, WesBanco, and Whiteside of St. Clairsville.
Participating as bronze level sponsors are Glessner Snodgrass Wealth Management, Steptoe & Johnson, Kalkreuth Roofing & Sheet Metal, Thomas the Stone & Thomas Turtle, Pickles Eatery & Bar, Joanou Financial Group, Fahey-Leavitt Insurance, Russ Fehr, Valput Properties, Savage Construction, Hughes Office Supply, Ohio County Commission, Unified Bank, and the Wheeling CVB.
Plans are underway to make it an annual event held on the second Saturday in July.