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Wednesday was the Summer Solstice, the day with the longest amount of sunlight in our calendar year. That also means our local celebrations of Independence Day are just around the corner.
Whether it's parades, fireworks displays, community festivals or family picnics, there will be a lot going on for the next week or so, and many opportunities for our residents to enjoy themselves.
Thunder in the Ville is being held this weekend, with the fireworks show slated for tonight (Saturday) to cap off the festivities.
Weirton, of course, will have a few festivities to help celebrate the nation's birth.
The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast will perform at the Weirton Event Center on June 30 as part of this year's Weirton Summer Concert Series. The band's small ensembles will take the stage as it tours West Virginia this summer. According to its website, "The Air National Guard Band of the Northeast supports the total Air Force mission in war and peace by preserving our national heritage, accomplished mainly through the professional music it provides for official military, recruiting and community events. The Band of the Northeast is assigned the state mission of supporting regional Air National Guard units."
It is based in Pennsylvania, but also covers Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.
Celebrations will continue in Weirton the next day (July 1) with the Weirton Independence Day Parade, which will begin at 10 a.m. with its traditional route down Main Street. The parade is organized by the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, and applications to participate are still being accepted. In fact, during Thursday's Park Board meeting, Parks Program Director Chris Krishak noted he has personally been reaching out to anyone who has been in the parade since 2017 to check their interest in this year's event.
The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will be returning to Weirton that night, bringing its "Celebrate America 2023" tour to the Weirton Event Center. Under the direction of John Gennaro Devlin, the symphony will be joined by special guest vocalist Erica Gabriel for the performance of patriotic favorites and Broadway classics. The gates of the Event Center will open at 6 p.m., with the concert at 8 p.m.
Fireworks will follow the symphony's performance, courtesy of the City of Weirton.
Wellsburg, as it has done for many years, has multiple days of events to celebrate the holiday.
We had a full article in our Friday edition, but there will be activities beginning Wednesday and lasting clear through to July 4. Community concerts will be held each night at the city's Central Park. In addition, the Wellsburg Volunteer Fire Department will hold a patriotic-themed bingo on June 29, the Crooked Dock will host a volleyball tournament July 1, a pickleball tournament is being organized for July 2 at the Betty Carr Recreation Site, the annual Fourth of July 5K is set for the morning of July 1, a fishing tournament and corn hole tournament are set for July 2.
Independence Day itself in Wellsburg will feature a flag-raising ceremony and the Oil Can Derby in the morning, with the city's parade and fireworks that evening.
Chester is planning a full day of activities on July 4, including a 5K, car show, parade, food truck, live entertainment, fireworks and more.
We've also published a lit of other local fireworks shows in case you may be looking for other options.
I know there have been comments in the past about how Independence Day events should only be held on Independence Day, but this way there is an opportunity to check out the festivities in multiple communities, plus spend time with family and friends. People talk about celebrating their "birthday month," so why not several days to celebrate the birth of our nation?
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)