The Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show team water skis on the Ohio River as part of the 2025 Ohio River Splashtacular. The 2026 edition comes to Heritage Port Sunday.

There will be excitement, fun and even a little bit of learning for folks of all ages coming Sunday, as the second annual Ohio River Splashtacular makes its way to Wheeling’s Heritage Port.

The free event, to be held from noon-4 p.m. Sunday will be full of activities for visitors to enjoy, along with a variety of raffles that will benefit Easterseals Rehabilitation Center. The Wheeling-based nonprofit relies on community donations to help fulfill its mission of creating life-changing solutions for children with developmental delays and disabilities through individualized medical rehabilitation therapies and services.

More than 1,000 people came through last year’s inaugural event and organizers are hoping to see even more this year.

Much of the fun will take place on the water of the Ohio River. The Chippewa Lake Water Ski team will perform two shows on the river. The team is Ohio’s only competitive water ski show team and has been performing for audiences for more than three decades. Their travels have taken them to shows throughout Ohio, West Virginia and Indiana.

In between the ski shows, Robert and Libby Strong of SMART Centre Market, located on Wheeling’s Main Street, will provide a science demonstration. RJ Gaudio-Troubadour will entertain the crowd throughout the day with summer-themed music.

The excitement continues back on land with a lineup of exhibitors providing hands-on activities, including Wheeling Creek Watershed Alliance, Ohio County Solid Waste Authority, City of Wheeling Water Department, Schrader Environmental Education Center, Trout Unlimited and the Captina Creek Conservancy.

Visitors will also be able to learn about the Ohio River’s history, thanks to the Ohio River Museum in Marietta. The museum is currently closed as a new building is being constructed, but museum staff will set up shop inside Waterfront hall with a Wheeling-centric Ohio River history display.

There will be plenty of prizes to win throughout the afternoon from a slew of raffles, with all proceeds benefiting Easterseals. This year’s grand prize is a $4,000 travel voucher from Uniglobe Travel, which can be used to book a trip anywhere in the world. The second prize is pair of kayaks, and third prize is a $1,000 Walmart gift card. Tickets are $20.

There also will be a basket raffles with dozens of prizes, from overnight stays at Oglebay Park Resort and Wheeling Island Hotel-Racetrack-Casino to jewelry to sports equipment and more. There also will be a 50-50 drawing.

Those getting hungry will have plenty of options around the event. Confirmed food trucks include Ideal Provisions, Cousins Maine Lobster, Paleonardo’s, Stalder Creamery, and So Nuts for Donuts. Party Pix Entertainment will provide a foam party and printed keepsake photos. The Wheeling Nailers will also have their plinko game with free prizes.

In addition, several vintage raceboats will be on display and the splash pad beside WesBanco Arena will be open.