Follansbee Chamber has many events planned for year ahead
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FOLLANSBEE -- The return of a series of community concerts and a riverboat cruise to the future site of the new Ohio River bridge are among events the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce has planned for the year ahead.
Eric Fithyan, the chamber's president, said the group and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce have teamed to plan an Aug. 23 evening cruise aboard the Gateway Clipper from the Steubenville Marina to the site of the bridge currently under construction just south of Wellsburg and back.
With the 830-foot-long main section of the bridge extending over the river, crews are focused at this time on abutments and other structures linking it to West Virginia Route 2 and Third Street in Brilliant.
Fithyan said other details for the cruise, which will be limited to 250 passengers, will be announced at a later time.
He noted the Follansbee chamber also is preparing for the return of its Monthly Monday Madness summer concert series.
Held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at Follansbee Park, the concerts will feature Cross Creek the Band on May 29, Pocket Change on June 26, Twice as Nice on July 31 and 40 Plus on Aug. 28.
The bands perform from the gazebo at the park's south end. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets.
Chamber members were encouraged to sell food and other items or share information at booths during the shows.
Fithyan said proceeds from 50-50 drawings held during the concerts will go this year to the chamber's education fund.
Over the years, the fund has been used to provide small grants to many teachers with innovative teaching strategies and unique hands-on projects for their students.
Fithyan said this year's grants will be presented at the chamber's Oct. 18 meeting.
He said the Follansbee chamber also will team with the Weirton Area and Wellsburg chambers of commerce and West Virginia Northern Community College for a business after hours at the school's Weirton campus from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 1.
Fithyan said WVNCC officials plan to offer tours of the college's new nursing simulation and applied technology labs.
He said local government officials have been invited to discuss development projects at the chamber's next regular meeting on June 21.
The chamber meets at noon on the third Wednesday of each month at the Community House.
Fithyan said there also are plans for an event showcasing the various vehicles used by the chamber's business members, with details to be announced.
He said the chamber's 2023 calendar will include the return of its Halloween Trunk or Treat event, which was very well received last year, and its year-end dinner.
Fithyan said the chamber has grown to include 115 members, including 17 who joined this year, and welcomed other businesses, groups and individuals to join and be a part of its many activities.
Those interested may call (412) 518-0804 or visit the chamber's website at https://follansbeechamber.com.
Fithyan also took time to welcome Sandy Kemp as the chamber's new vice president and four new board members -- Gene Zrinyi, Aimee Livingston and Amanda Scott.
He also thanked the following for sponsoring this year's community concerts: Debbie and Brandy Puskarich of Puskarich Accounting in memory of Rich Puskarich, Riesbeck's Food Stores, Valley Hospice, Tri-State Financial Services, Chambers and James Funeral Homes, Johnnie's Florist at James, Dr. Michael Pipo, DeFelice Brothers Pizza, eXp Realty, Main Street Bank, Follansbee McDonald's, Apollo Professional Cleaning and Restoration, Brightwood Center Genesis HealthCare, C.H.A.N.G.E. Inc., Texas Roadhouse, Hood's Pharmacy, First National Bank and Wilkin's Flower Shop.