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WHEELING -- With COVID-19 social distancing guidelines still in effect in the Ohio Valley, many annual Fourth of July celebrations have been canceled. But despite the decrease in fireworks displays and the increase in face masks in daily life, many people are still doing their best to enjoy a memorable holiday weekend.
On Friday, shoppers and pedestrians at the Wheeling Centre Market shared their upcoming holiday plans and how they've changed in a summer gripped by a global pandemic.
Janet Sheehan and Sandy Hadsell were spending their morning at "Artworks Around Town" in a weekly open studio session that Hadsell hosts to give the people a space to hone their artistic talents. Both women were working on colorful pastel drawings of moths.
Sheehan, who lives in Dimmeydale, says her neighborhood plans to continue its annual tradition of a Fourth of July parade and picnic.
This year, the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will close out the small event, playing one of their pop-up concerts in Dimmeydale Park at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, July 4. Sheehan says everyone in the neighborhood plans to do their best to respect social distancing guidelines and protect themselves from infection.
"Being close together, even with family, is something you really have to think about and be careful with this year," Sheehan said.
Hadsell said she usually likes to go to see fireworks on the Fourth of July but has decided to stay in this weekend and have a quieter holiday.
"I live way out in the country," she explained. "I might just have a picnic."
Several other people also said they were planning on staying in and having smaller celebrations than usual.
Danny Shultz said his family plans to enjoy a cookout on Saturday in their backyard, complete with cheeseburgers and drinks. They also plan to take advantage of their pool in the sweltering heat. They usually take a trip to Oglebay Park to enjoy their annual fireworks on July 3, but Shultz said this year, the idea didn't have the same appeal.
"It just won't be the same," he admitted. "I definitely don't want to have to wear a mask out in public in this hot weather."
John Childers said he also plans on skipping any fireworks displays this year. He normally goes to the annual fireworks display at Heritage Port, which were canceled in late May. Instead, he said he hopes to enjoy a simple barbeque with his wife and kids. He also said the family is excited to take a camping trip but doesn't plan on leaving until Monday, when "the camping grounds will be less packed."
However, some families are still set on keeping fireworks displays on their holiday itineraries. Effie Payne said her family plans to enjoy the Oglebay fireworks this year, even if they need to socially distance.
Will Johnson, who operates his business, Ted's Mobile Car Wash, out of Wheeling, said he plans to head back to his hometown of Cleveland to spend the holiday with his children and extended family. He hopes to take his kids to local fireworks there while doing his best to stay safe and healthy.
Jennifer Green said she and her immediate family will opt for enjoying fireworks of their own at home over the weekend, as they do most summers. She knows a lot of friends who were disappointed when fireworks displays were cancelled, she said, but didn't feel her holiday weekend would be much different than normal.
"I usually just grill some food with my immediate family," Green said. "So honestly, the coronavirus didn't really put a damper on my plans."