By: Jeremy Morris
Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean, don’t you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun, you know what I mean ~ Nina Simone
It’s the second weekend of August and that can mean only one thing in Wheeling. The dragonflies will be dancing to the sweet sounds of the blues on the river. After a pandemic hiatus Heritage Port’s signature music festival opens this Friday at 5:00 pm. We are looking forward to a weekend of award-winning music, great food, and the return of our blues family from around the country.
There will be live music throughout the city in other venues as well, plus the Warwood Lions Club celebrates their neighborhood with a festival, and Wheeling Park continues its 95th anniversary summer-long celebration.
And if the heat of the Dog Days of Summer keeps you restless through night, then ease on out of bed and peep the Perseid meteor shower. It is the most popular meteor shower of each year and astronomers are lauding it as the best meteor shower for 2021.
While it will peak over the next few days, it will however continue throwing meteors from midnight to dawn until August 18th. So, forget the heat and worries of the world and simply be in awe of the magic of the universe for a few moments.
The Heritage Music Blues Festival began in 2001 when Bruce Wheeler envisioned a Blues music festival in a newly constructed waterfront park on the bank of the Ohio River in downtown Wheeling. The fact that Wheeling had no blues scene or even a blues club, band or solo artist did not deter Wheeler from developing a festival. Promoted as “A Weekend of Award-Winning Blues”, the Festival gets raves from coast to coast. Wheeler’s festival features two stages, a Main Stage with Blues Music Award Winners and up-and-coming IBC solo/duo and band winning acts, and a Second Stage dedicated to local and regional artists, from WV, OH, PA, and MD.
During the event you can find his wife, Phyllis Sigal, daughter Amanda and her husband Chris holding down the MainGate while his son Leland, who was 12 when the event began, serves as the MainStage Manager. That Blues Family atmosphere spills over to the audience who has traveled to Wheeling, WV from 25 states and 4 countries for the last 17 years for the annual August event. For the full list of musicians and ticketing click here
Wheeling Heritage Port
1201 Water Street
Friday: 5:00-11:00pm
Saturday: 12:00-11:00pm
Sunday: 1:00-9:00pm
Friday, August 13th
2 Country 4 Nashville is one night only at the Bridge Tavern. The Bridge Tavern is a legendary eatery and watering hole in Downtown Wheeling. Located across from the Capitol Theatre, it has always been a before-and-after hot spot for concerts and shows. In recent years the Tavern has come under new ownership. It has a new feel, a BRAND SPANKIN’ NEW NEON GUITAR above its door and hosting a new a concert-series throughout summer 2021. Catch 2 Country 4 Nashville this Friday. 7:30 pm $5.00. 950 Main Street
Wheeling Park celebrates its 95th birthday all summer long with FlashBack Fridays. Enjoy live entertainment, local vendors, food trucks, games, and much more every Friday night from 5 – 9 pm! Free Admission 1801 National Road.
Warwood Lion’s Club Community Festival, August 13-14, in Warwood’s Garden Park! Enjoy a weekend of food, fun, and community hosted by the Warwood Lions Club.
Saturday August 14th
The Wheeling Farmer’s Market is where you will find fresh and local produce to help keep your food dollars in the Ohio Valley. Join farmers from throughout the Wheeling area at the Wheeling Farmers Market Saturdays 8-12 in the St. Michael’s parking lot, 1225 National Rd.
It’s a Patio Party with Jim Berze as music will fill the air at Oglebay’s Wilson Lodge Lakeview Patio from 7–10 pm. 465 Lodge Drive
Sunday, August 8th
The Joseph Sisters gives the weekend a grand finale at the Sunday Funday Summer Concert at Oglebay’s Amphitheater. The fun kicks off at 6 pm with dinner concessions, an ice cream sundae bar, and kids’ activities in the Formal Gardens. Entertainment begins at 7 pm FREE 465 Lodge Drive.
