By JESSICA BROVERMAN

Staff Writer

There are many events that will not only get you out of the house this winter but that will also keep you active and having fun this holiday season in and around the Ohio Valley.

Several local organizations are holding events that are family friendly and full of excitement. Grand Vue Park at Moundsville will be offering constellation and meteor shower viewing through its new telescope on Dec. 9 and 13.

Park representatives advise that guests should wear layered clothing and utilize the on-site campfire to help keep warm.

Wheeling Heritage will be hosting a walking event that the entire family can take part in as well.

“As part of the continuing events under the grant Wheeling Heritage received from the 2017 Trek the Trail program, we have a final event on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. We will meet at the flagpole at Heritage Port and walk for a mile and a half,” Chris Villamagna, program manager of Wheeling Heritage, said.

According to Villamagna, participants who complete the walk will be invited to the Wheeling Artisan Center for hot chocolate and storytelling by author Cheryl Ryan Harshman. Walking, running and biking are also activities the Wheeling Heritage group supports and wants people to take part in to stay active this season.

Local bicycle riders have been utilizing the trails and Heritage Port in downtown Wheeling for years. They say throughout the time they have spent here, friendships have been made and it has kept them active.

“It’s a challenging sport, and I have a lot of fun landing new tricks and seeing the reactions of those who watch my buddies and I,” said Zach Bruce, a local bicycle motocross — or BMX — enthusiast. “The waterfront is the only safe place for us to practice our sport of BMX without taking a risk of getting hit by a vehicle (on) the streets.”

The Wheeling Heritage Trails and Heritage Port will be available and open to the public through the winter with brochures containing maps and information to help guide local trailblazers. Oglebay Resort and Conference Center will offer skiing and snowboarding on an 815-foot slope this holiday season and will offer food and beverages for purchase.

Once you are done riding the slopes, you can warm up by the on-site fire pit with a cup of hot cocoa. Special rates are offered during twilight hours on weekends and during school closures.

For those who want a night out without the kids this season, you may want to pay a visit to Generations Restaurant and Pub for live performances on the outdoor stage. You can view the show at stage level or from above on the newly built deck area.

“The public should come to Generations for outdoor performances because they’re a great way to get out with friends and enjoy what this area’s local music (scene) has to offer,” said Generations employee Ambria Stoltey.

“Luke Bryan played at Generations before he was the name many know today. Who knows whose name will become famous next?” Stoltey said.

Generations will host live performances every weekend for the rest of the year and is located in the Fulton area of Wheeling on National Road.

Though younger children may take part in other more appropriate events this holiday season, the Candy Cane Hunt located at the Schrader Center at Oglebay in Wheeling is specifically for ages 3 to 8 years old. The event will be offered every day for a week beginning at 4 p.m. Dec. 9. The Schrader Center advises parents to bundle their little ones up in something warm and to bring a flashlight. Once all the candy canes have been discovered, cookies and warm beverages will be served.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors this winter and simply take it all in, then what you will need is a thermos, a blanket and a great location to view the local scenery. One popular spots in Wheeling is the Mount Wood Overlook.

Taking part in any of these activities alone or with friends and family can make for many unique and fun holiday adventures.