AN EVENING OF GOSPEL — Several local artists participated in the annual Gospel Night event, held at the Sycamore Youth Center on June 18. Originally scheduled to take place at the Berkman Amphitheater, officials changed the location because of the evening’s heat index. Performers featured area gospel choirs, worship teams, dance ministries and those performing the spoken word. -- Contributed

STEUBENVILLE — Despite the extreme temperatures that have hit the Ohio Valley this month, Steubenville’s hometown spirit prevailed, as approximately 250 local residents packed into the Sycamore Youth Center June 18 for the annual Gospel Night concert.

The event, which was originally scheduled to take place at the Berkman Amphitheater in Fort Steuben Park, was moved indoors to the Sycamore center, located at 301 N. Fourth St.

Due to the day’s heat index posing a potential health risk to the performers, as well as the audience, officials made the decision to move the event earlier in the day.

“Given the extreme temperatures, we knew moving it indoors was the safest choice,” explained event coordinator Bobbyjon Bauman, executive director of Sycamore. “It was important that families — including young and older members — could join us without worrying about heat exhaustion.”

The concert featured a lineup of local and regional talent that represented a wide range of praise styles, including gospel choirs, worship teams, dance ministries and spoken word. Performances featured artists the Weirton Covenant Worship Team, Arletta Reed, Chelsea Householder, Impact Church Praise Team, DFE Rising Stars Dance Team, Kaleb Kibble, IchThUS, Apostolic Faith Temple Choir and Refocus Church Worship Team.

“One of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Sister Arletta Reed, who delivered a powerful mime performance set to CeCe Winans’s ‘Alabaster Box,'” Bauman said. “The crowd responded with a standing ovation and emotional applause.”

“This is more than a concert,” Bauman added. “It’s a gathering of worship, unity and hope. We saw lives touched tonight.”

Organizers noted moving the event indoors fostered a deeper sense of connection between artists and audience, with the intimate space enhancing the sound and engagement. Sycamore expressed its appreciation to all of the performers, volunteers, partnering churches and community supporters who helped make the evening a “resounding success.”

For information about events and programs at the Sycamore Youth Center, visit or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/SycamoreYouthCenter.