WHEELING, W.Va. – April 9, 2025 – Downtown Wheeling will shine brighter than ever this holiday season, and the community is invited to help make it happen. Local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals are encouraged to sponsor a giant LED Shooting Snowflake to help transform Main and Market streets into a dazzling winter wonderland.
This year’s City of Lights celebration marks a return to tradition—with the Wheeling Christmas Parade coming back to its original route and the downtown Streetscape project nearing completion. To mark the occasion, community partners are enhancing the experience in festive, new ways, including a new large Christmas tree at Market Plaza and several large Dine-in Igloos that can be reserved for catering in partnership with local restaurants.
“This is an opportunity to light up downtown and bring festive energy to Wheeling during a time of revitalization,” said Scott Schenerlein, executive director of Wheeling Heritage. “By sponsoring a snowflake, businesses, organizations and individuals can take part in this tradition while supporting our local small business community.”
Each snowflake sponsorship is $560 and includes a pre-lit LED snowflake measuring 4.16 feet by 5.9 feet. Outfitted with energy-efficient string and rope lights and built on a durable metal frame, these decorations are designed for reuse for many holiday seasons to come.
The City of Wheeling, Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Wheeling Heritage, West Liberty University’s Department of Media and Liberal Arts, and the Parade Committee have joined forces to make this effort possible.
“Our goal is to secure 58 Snowflake Sponsors to fully illuminate downtown Wheeling,” said Bill Bryson, chief information officer of Uniglobe Ohio Valley Travel and project lead for the initiative. “With the community’s support, the City of Lights celebration will welcome residents and visitors alike to shop, dine, and enjoy everything our local businesses have to offer this holiday season.”
How to Sponsor:
● Online: wheelingheritage.org/snowflake-sponsorship
● By Mail: Make checks payable to Wheeling Heritage Foundation, 1400 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003
● Questions: Call (304) 232-3087
To learn more, visit wheelingheritage.org/snowflake-sponsorship.
Help bring the holiday magic to life —sponsor a snowflake and light up Wheeling!
About Wheeling Heritage:
Wheeling Heritage is a catalyst for the revitalization of Wheeling. Through historic preservation, community development, and the arts, we help to tell Wheeling’s story and shape its future. We seek to improve the quality of life in Wheeling by preserving and investing in our city, collaborating with others, and engaging the citizens of Wheeling in our work.
