WEIRTON — There will be no celebration of Weirton’s industrial heritage this year.

In a press release issued by the City of Weirton Friday morning, it was announced this year’s Gate 5 Industrial Arts Festival would not be held as a result of ongoing concerns connected with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Due to the uncertainties and lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 health crisis, the Weirton Gate 5 Arts Festival is postponed until 2021,” according to the announcement.

The Gate 5 festival was launched in 2018 as a way to celebrate the Weirton area’s industrial history, with demonstrations including blacksmithing, metal sculpting and glass blowing, as well as a variety of vendors and community activities.

In place of the festival, the Gate 5 committee, which falls under the auspices of Renaissance Weirton and is comprised of municipal employees and community volunteers, is working on plans for other arts-based projects in the city.

“Instead of the festival, Renaissance Weirton Corp. will be focusing on numerous Gate 5 art projects to take place throughout the city, including a Main Street mural, Giving Tree sculpture and community art day,” the announcement notes.

Additional details on those projects will be announced at a later time.