WHEELING — The Friendly City will offer fun for all ages during the summer as festivals, concerts and other events heat up across Wheeling.

Olivia Litman, marketing director of the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, noted there is much to look forward to in the city this summer, especially regarding events that will not dent one’s pockets.

“People ask, ‘What’s going on in Wheeling?’ and really the best answer I can give them is ‘What’s not?’ because typically from Tuesday through Sunday, there is some sort of live entertainment, event or festival of some sort and most of them are free,” Litman said.

The festivities get rolling today, with the annual Wheeling Feeling Chili Cook-Off at Heritage Port. From noon to 6 p.m., rain or shine, area restaurants and individuals will offer their best chili recipes for tasting and judgment. The event is free and open to the public, though beverages and “taster” cups for chili will be sold by the United Way of the Upper Ohio Valley. Proceeds will benefit the United way.

Live music will be abundant this summer, with staple free concert events, including Waterfront Wednesdays at Wheeling Heritage Port and FunFest Fridays at Wheeling Park, returning to the city. Oglebay will also boast many weekly live music events including the Sunday Funday Concert Series at the Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater, Patio Parties at Wilson Lodge Lakeview Patio, Fire Pit Fridays at Route 88 Burger & Brews and Lakeview Patio performances held on Saturdays at the Wilson Lodge Lakeview Patio.

Other popular summer events will return to the city at new locations. The weekly concert series Toe Tappin’ Tuesdays will now be held every Tuesday at Warwood Garden Park, the new permanent location.

Pride on the Plaza will also return to Wheeling on June 8 — at a different plaza. This year’s celebration of LGBTQ+ history, culture and community has been moved from Market Plaza to the Heritage Port Plaza.

Wheeling Movie Nights, new to the summer events lineup last year, is returning with new films and locations to immerse viewers in the programming. At the kick-off movie screening on June 15, residents can sport their best pink attire for a “Pink Party” from 6 to 9 p.m. at Heritage Port, followed by a showing of “Barbie” at dusk. Wheeling Parks & Recreation Director Rochelle Barry added that the event will boast food, shopping vendors and free yoga and dance classes.

Other screenings include an 85th-anniversary “Wizard of Oz” viewing at Heritage Port on Friday, July 12.

The Aug. 2 showing of “Field of Dreams” will have the location tie-in of being held at Patterson Field in Elm Grove.

Barry encourages residents to grab a lawn chair or a blanket and enjoy the films.

“The Parks and Recreation Department strives to offer free and low cost events throughout the summer,” noted Barry on the events the city has to offer this summer. “Especially with the cost of living on the rise, we want people to be able to enjoy the event and not have an added stress of if they’ll be able to afford it.”

The Wheeling Wine Mixer is a new addition to the city’s festivals held at Heritage Port on June 29 from noon to 11 p.m. A $35 general admission will get guests 10 tickets to sample wine and enjoy live music at the venue. In addition to wine, the event will include a Beer Garden, a “Seltzer City” and a cocktail section for mixed drinks.

Event Co-Chairman D.J. Daner explained that stepping up to the plate in June before Party in the Plaza in July and Brewfest in August is a challenge he’s excited to meet.

“There’s a lot of expectation, and a lot of eyes will be watching us, so it’s great to have that pressure,” said Daner. “The general public has never seen a festival like this before.”

Daner added that the event’s layout will be unique from past Heritage Port festivals, explaining that the event’s setup of food, wine and coffee vendors has never been done before.

Moving from wine to beer, the Mountaineer Brewfest will celebrate its 10th anniversary on August 17 at Heritage Port. Every pint at the festival will go towards a good cause, with profits raised from the main festival and matching tips generated by the Circus Saints & Sinners Beer Garden going towards this year’s chosen charity, Helping Heroes.

“They’re [Mountaineer Brewfest organizers] are planning some really exciting things and fun events within the festival for the 10th anniversary,” said Litman. “The proceeds from the event will go towards the nonprofit Helping Heroes, so this is a great fundraising opportunity for them as well.”

Other notable Heritage Port events returning to the city include the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks on July 4, the Heritage Music BluesFest on Aug. 9-11 and the Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta on Aug. 30- Sept. 1.

Litman also drew attention to events away from Heritage Port, spotlighting the Centre Market as another hotspot of activity this summer. Centre Market Saturdays will include country group Billy the Kid & the Regulators performing on June 1 and then modern pop artist Gage Joseph.

Centre Market will also host the United Way’s Red, White & Brew festival on July 6 from 5 to 11 p.m., featuring music artists Pocket Chance and Zack Attack.

Festivals that put culture at the forefront of celebrations include the Grecian Festival from July 24-27 at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church and the Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival held July 26-28 at Wheeling Heritage Port.

Below are the dates and locations of many of the festivals and activities offered in Wheeling this summer:

• June 8 – Pride on Plaza, Heritage Port

• June 9 – Newbridge Church Service, Heritage Port

• June 15 – Augusta Levy Color Me AU-SOME 5k Walk/Run, Heritage Port

• June 15 – Pink Party, Heritage Port

• June 19 – Juneteenth Celebration, Market Street Plaza

• June 29 – Wheeling Wine Mixer, Heritage Port

• July 4 – 4th of July Celebration – WSO/Fireworks, Heritage Port

• July 6 – United Way’s Red White & Brew – Centre Market

• July 7 – 21st Annual Heritage Port Car Show, Heritage Port

• July 13 – Party on the Plaza Music & Food Festival, Market Street Plaza

• July 14 – Bethlehem Apolistic Temple Gospel Festival, Heritage Port

• July 24-27 – Grecian Fest, St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church

• July 26-28 – Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival, Heritage Port

• Aug. 9-11 – Heritage Music BluesFest, Heritage Port

• Aug. 17 – Mountaineer Brewfest, Heritage Port

• Aug. 22 – The Floatsam River Circus, Heritage Port

• Aug. 24 – Ohio Valley Street Survivors Car Show, Oglebay

• Aug. 24 – Wings Over Wheeling and Car Cruise, Wheeling-Ohio County Airport

• Aug. 30- Sep. 1 – Wheeling Vintage Raceboat Regatta, Heritage Port