WHEELING, W.Va. – March 29, 2025 – Wheeling Heritage has awarded six Partnership Grants to local organizations, supporting projects that celebrate local culture and community engagement. A total of $6,000 in funding was distributed to events and initiatives that will take place or be completed this year.
Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center, Inc. –
The Ohio River Splashtacular, taking place June 8 at Wheeling Heritage Port, is a new, free event celebrating the city’s connection to the river. The event will feature two performances by a professional water ski show team, as well as interactive exhibits from organizations including the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, SMART Science Center, and the Ohio County Public Library. The goal is to highlight the river’s historical and cultural significance while offering family-friendly entertainment.
Friends of the Ohio County Public Library –
The Spelling Bee for Grown-Ups, set for June 7, will promote community engagement and support for the library. Hosted at the Scottish Rite event venue with catering and entertainment by local businesses, the event will raise funds to enhance the children’s area of the library. Organizers hope to establish it as an annual event and a potential model for other area libraries, which could lead to a regional competition.
Warwood Farmers Market –
Held weekly on Tuesdays from June 3 to Aug. 26, the Children’s Market provides $5 in produce tokens to each child who visits. The program encourages healthy eating, teaches financial literacy and communication skills, and helps children build positive relationships with local farmers. It has become a beloved summer tradition for families in the Warwood community.
Wheeling Fashion Week –
Wheeling Fashion Week will take place June 1–7, showcasing local fashion talent, designers, and businesses in a city-wide celebration. The event will culminate in a runway show at Waterfront Hall on June 7 and includes a week of collaborative events hosted by boutiques, salons, and creatives. Organizers aim to celebrate Wheeling’s fashion legacy while advancing its modern-day industry.
West Liberty University 48-Hour Film Festival –
The 48 Hour Film Festival, scheduled for Sept. 5–7, challenges college and high school teams to create short films in just two days. Participants are given the required elements at the kickoff, then write, shoot, and edit their films before presenting them at a public screening and judged competition. Now in its third year, the festival fosters creative collaboration and student engagement in media arts.
Youth Services System, Inc. –
The 18th Annual Celebrate Youth Festival will take place Aug. 14 at Wheeling Park and is expected to draw over 2,000 attendees. This free event brings together more than 60 organizations to provide youth and families with resources ranging from school supplies to health services. It is considered one of the Ohio Valley’s signature end-of-summer events.
“We are so excited to see these six projects and events come to light! It’s a mix of new fun and returning favorites. The committee always loves to support such impactful community initiatives that bring the people of Wheeling together.” shares Riley Carpenter, director of programming at Wheeling Heritage.
“We are so grateful to Wheeling Heritage for providing funding for our Children’s Market program,” said Matthew Rafa, pharmacist and co-chair of the Warwood Farmers Market. “This program was designed to give children a place in our market. We have outstanding vendors who teach the children about the produce — how it is grown, why it’s beneficial to eat, and more. Nutrition is such a vital component of childhood development, and we are excited to partner with Wheeling Heritage to provide nutrition and education in a family-friendly community setting.”
To learn more about these events, visit the Weelunk events calendar at https://weelunk.com/things-to-do/.
Wheeling Heritage’s Partnership Grants are open to individuals, community groups, local institutions, public entities, and private enterprises. The next round of applications opens July 2. For more information, visit https://wheelingheritage.org/grants/ or call (304) 232-3087.
