EVENTS: Things to do in the Ohio Valley

People’s University Class 4: Dinosaur C.S.I.

The Ohio County Public Library’s summer of fun continues with a special People’s University series focusing on dinosaurs. The latest class will be held on Thursday, Aug 11 at 7 p.m. Dinosaurs left more behind than just their bones and skin. They also left footprints, coprolites, and other evidence of their day-to-day life. We will examine different types of dinosaur fossils and how each informs paleontologists about dinosaur behavior, just like how crime scene investigators use physical evidence from a crime to piece together the story of what happened! Learn more here. 

Heritage Music BluesFest

The 21st Heritage Music BluesFest returns this weekend a Wheeling Heritage Port. The music kicks off Friday evening at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Katie Henry Band. The fun continues all weekend long with performances by Mike Zito Blood Bros Band, Victor Wainright & the Train, and many more! Don’t miss the after-party each evening at the BluesFest After Jam at the McLure House Bar & Grill. Learn more and get tickets here. 

Oglebay Institute Board Benefit

OI’s Board of Trustees invites friends and supporters of Wheeling’s leading arts and cultural organization to gather for this lavish party this Friday, August 19 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Oglebay. Attendees will enjoy gourmet food, a beer garden and an open bar in the elegant Mansion Museum and on its picturesque lawn. Funds raised enrich our community through arts, cultural, and nature experiences with Oglebay Institute. Purchase tickets at oionline.com, from any board member, or call 304-242-4200.

Fire Pit Fridays

Gather around the fire pit at Route 88 BBQ & Brew Friday nights from 6 – 9 p.m. for an evening complete with free live entertainment and delicious smoked BBQ. This week’s performance features Gage Joseph. Learn more about live music at Oglebay here. 

FunFest Fridays at Wheeling Park

Wheeling Park is the place to celebrate this summer every Friday from 6 – 9 p.m. Get ready for a live concert featuring Twice as Nice plus a beer garden, food trucks, an inflatable fun zone, face painting, and much more. But the party doesn’t stop there. The celebration continues all summer long with live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, games, and much more every Friday night from 6 – 9 p.m. Learn more here. 

Warwood Lions Club Community Festival

Head to Warwood’s Garden Park this weekend for food, music, games, raffles, and more! Proceeds go to furthering our community and Lions charitable work! Learn more here. 

Dog Days at the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum

Treat your four-legged friend to a day at the museum! This weekend (Aug 13-14) dogs are invited into the museum with their owners for regular admission price. There is also a free event on the front lawn, which includes agility presentations by a certified dog trainer. Come enjoy, even if you don’t have a dog. Learn more here. 

2022 West Virginia Penitentiary Paranormal Convention

Celebrate the supernatural in one of America’s most haunted prisons.The West Virginia Penitentiary Para-Con is back for 2022! Don’t miss an incredible paranormal convention this Saturday, Aug. 13 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the West Virginia Penitentiary. You’ll be welcomed by psychics, authors, paranormal teams, paranormal field celebrities, paranormal equipment vendors and many paranormal/spooky-themed booths! Learn more here. 

Touch A Truck

Holy Family Childcare and Development Center and the City of Wheeling invite children and their families to the annual Touch A Truck on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Wheeling Ohio County Airport. Touch-A-Truck is a unique and interactive, and free event that allows children to see, touch, and safely explore their favorite vehicles, as well as to meet the personnel who protect, serve, and build our community. Past vehicles on display have included a police car, fire trucks, ambulance, tractor-trailer and an excavator. Learn more here. 

Smart Centre Star Watch At The Park

Grand Vue Park and The Smart Centre in Wheeling have another year of Star Watch Events on the books! Stop by the aerial adventure park at GVP on the second Saturday of each month from 8-10 p.m. to try out their top-notch telescope. See constellations and deep sky objects with the help of Robert Strong from The Smart Centre! Learn more here.

Laughaholix: An Open Mic Night

Taqueria 304 is back with an open invitation for anybody that wants to make others smile or smile themselves! Artists of all kinds are invited to come and share their humor through stand-up, sketches, music, or spoken word. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been doing it for years or just want to try out a few jokes for the first time – all while you enjoy the fine tacos and craft beers at Taqueria. Laughaholix will be held on Saturday, Aug. 13  at 9 p.m. Learn more here.

Lebanese Festival

Our Lady of Lebanon Church presents the 87th Annual Mahrajan Lebanese Festival on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Oglebay’s Levenson Shelter. Enjoy a great day of family food and fun with authentic Lebanese food, children’s games and inflatables, and a special outdoor Maronite Catholic mass at 10 a.m. Learn more here. 

Children’s Fair & Drive-In Movie: “Sing 2”

Treat the kids to a movie and fun at the West Sports Bar this Sunday, Aug. 14 from 5 – 10:30 p.m. A screening of the movie Sing 2 will take place at 8 p.m. Prior to the movie, the kids can enjoy a free fair complete with face painters, bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, a magician, and more! Learn more here. 

Public Art Scavenger Hunt

Join the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission on Sunday, Aug 14 and discover some of downtown Wheeling’s public art, old and new with a public art scavenger hunt. Meet at the Plaza on Market at 2 p.m. to pick up maps and clues before heading out on your adventure. Snacks will also be provided. This is a fun, free event for the whole family!