WHEELING — After the past two weeks in the Upper Ohio Valley, everyone could use a distraction.

Starting Saturday, June 28, local communities will be offering something to take your mind off the rainfall, the flooding and the cleanup work.

Two fireworks shows are set for June 28: one in Wintersville and also one in St. Clairsville, at Central Park, as part of the city’s Community Days. Both shows begin at dusk.

Following that, there are a host of fireworks displays over the coming days to lift spirits and think about our nation as it celebrates its 249th birthday.

The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will perform twice next week to mark the Fourth of July — first, on Thursday, Independence Day, the orchestra will play starting at 8 p.m. at Heritage Port in Wheeling, and then at 8 p.m. Friday, July 5, prior to the fireworks in Weirton at the Weirton Events Center.

Get out, enjoy the shows and remember what’s always been so great about our nation — its people. Enjoy the fireworks this coming week at these venues, with all shows starting at dusk, unless otherwise noted

Activities

Saturday, June 28

St. Clairsville, Central Park

Wintersville,

Thursday, July 3

Bethlehem Community Park

Oglebay Park, Schenk Lake

Wells Township

Woodsfield

Friday, July 4

Chester

Moundsville, Valley Fork

Steubenville, Fort Steuben

Wellsburg

Wheeling Heritage Port

Saturday, July 5

Barnesville Memorial Park

Cameron

Patterson ballfield, Elm Grove

Hundred

Martins Ferry

Toronto, 10 p.m.

Weirton

Wheeling Island, at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack