File photo SHOWING THEIR PATRIOTISM – Area residents take part in the 2023 Wellsburg Fourth of July parade. Organizers of this year's festivities are getting the community ready for a week of activities, including live music, contests, races, and more, beginning June 27.

WELLSBURG – Wellsburg is known for a large Independence Day celebration, and this year organizers hope to make the festivities even bigger in honor of the nation’s semiquincentennial.

“We have a whole week of events lined up,” said Dan Otto, who along with Megan Rogerson, Tom Puskarich and Cody Rice comprise the committee organizing this year’s event. “It’s a big community event.”

The unofficial kickoff to the Wellsburg Fourth of July lineup will be the June 26 Downtown Block Party, organized by the Wellsburg Urban Redevelopment Authority. The event will feature food, music and more in and around the city’s Town Square.

Festivities will officially get underway June 27 with the annual 5K race. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Town Square, with a $25 entry fee. The race starts at 8 a.m.

The Super Kids Derby, geared toward participants with special needs, will be held at 10 a.m. at First Ward Park, Rice said. Other activities include a cornhole tournament at noon at Central Park and Music in the Park at 7 p.m. featuring Cross Creek the Band.

June 28 will include a fishing tournament at the Wellsburg Wharf, with registration at 6:30 a.m. and the tournament beginning at 7 a.m., a pickleball tournament at the 18th Street Courts, a church service at Central Park at 10 a.m. and a performance by The Next from 7-10 p.m.

The schedule for June 29 includes a three-on-three basketball tournament at the 18th Street Courts and a performance by Pocket Change at Central Park at 7 p.m.

Competitions continue June 30 with a hot dog eating contest at Central Park. Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and the contest starts at 8 p.m. The All Star Band will perform at 7 p.m.

Kids Day is scheduled July 1 from 5-9 p.m. at Central Park and will feature an Oreo stacking challenge for ages 8-13 at 8 p.m. Poor Man’s Heaven will perform at 7 p.m.

The Lil Miss and Mr. Fourth of July pageant, open to children ages 6 months to 3 years, will be held July 2. Registration is available through the Wellsburg Fourth of July Facebook page, with the contest beginning at 7 p.m. Eric Drake and Guest will perform that night.

July 3 will feature a Best Dressed contest at Central Park, with participants encouraged to wear their best Fourth of July attire. Judging will be conducted by the event committee, along with a crowd vote for finalists. Music will include Switch at 6 p.m. and Refugee at 7 p.m.

Independence Day activities begin July 4 at 8:30 a.m. with a flag raising at First Ward Park by Cub Scout Pack 1553.

The annual Oil Can Derby, organized this year by Kevin Maloney, begins at 9 a.m. The day also includes a bike decorating contest at 6 p.m. at Town Square, the community parade at 7 p.m., a performance by Splash Panel at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m.

“We’ve brought a lot back we used to have and added some things,” Otto said.

Rice said the celebration has become a regional draw, with current and former residents planning vacations around it.

“Everybody plans their vacation for the Fourth of July,” he said, adding it may be one of the longest-running holiday observances in the state.

Otto said the committee is working to establish a new concert area, with plans to move the stage toward the intersection of 18th and Charles streets in the park.

“We’re trying to expand the stage and sound to cover the whole park,” he said.

More vendors are being added, and Puskarich said there may be additional surprises before the celebration.

Organizers noted that while the city of Wellsburg sponsors the fireworks display, most costs are covered through community donations.