WINTERSVILLE — When Wednesdays in Wintersville returns, attendees will find its food, music and other features closer to Main Street.

The monthly street fair will make its seasonal debut from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, with Matt Hill and Friends, an area jazz band that has performed in venues ranging from the White House to Europe, appearing from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Joel John, chairman of the volunteer committee behind the monthly street fair, said in keeping with the group’s goal of attracting people to the village’s businesses, many of its features will be moved closer to its main route.

That means food trucks and other vendors will be located in the lot in front of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, while musical guests will perform in the lot behind Exquisite Creations by Joel near the top of Grove Street, which will be occupied by non-food vendors and, in most months, an activity involving a local not-for-profit organization.

John said there will continue to be booths and attractions for children in front of Wintersville Methodist Church’s Center for Hope on Main Street.

He said the committee greatly appreciates the support of the two churches both this year and since the festival started four years ago.

“We’re also really thankful for our sponsors. If not for them, it wouldn’t happen,” said John.

He said Ferguson House of Furniture and Seven Ranges Entertainment are covering the costs for all of this season’s musical entertainment, while other local businesses are sponsoring the children’s bounce houses and other activities.

Mosti Funeral Home is sponsoring the bounce houses on Wednesday, while Exquisite Creations by Joel, John’s own business, is sponsoring a China and tea set show to be held inside the Center for Hope.

The latter is in keeping with this month’s T Party theme, which alludes to a tea party and a golf tee, with a swinging golf contest to benefit the Josh Merriman Foundation.

Winners of the latter event will be entered into drawings for four rounds of golf at the Steubenville Country Club and a $25 gift card for Basil’s Sports Bar and Grill in Weirton.

The foundation is a local charity formed to promote suicide prevention while supporting scholarships for local graduates and is one of a handful of not-for-profit organizations that will be the center of an activity to be held during each month’s fair, usually near the top of Grove Street.

John said the Jefferson County Historical Association and A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center have been tapped for upcoming events.

John said the Wednesdays in Wintersville committee enjoys planning various things for attendees to see and do in keeping with a different monthly theme.

This month children will be invited to participate in a princess parade, with girls and boys donning various costumes for a chance at winning prizes. To register for the free event, call (740) 317-5577.

Owners of China and tea sets from various eras are invited to display them in the Center for Hope and should drop them off between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Those interested in participating may call John at (740) 275-7993 with any questions.

John said an effort is made to come up with new themes for each month. This year’s were brainstormed by him and Julie Robinson, a local teacher who sought ideas for related events from her students at Indian Creek High School.

Themes for upcoming months are: Heritage Month for June, with ethnic food and wine, music by the Faire May folk group and a quilt show among the offerings; Let Freedom Ring Month in July, with a patriotic bicycle parade for children and music by Tri-State Brass; an ’80s Flashback in August, with music from Jimmy Z, a big hair contest and prom dress display; and Apples, Peaches and Pumpkin Pie for September, with bluegrass and gospel music from Buck Allemond and Blue Diggity and a pie-baking contest among its features.

John added the group is working with village officials to plan its part of the Wintersville Winter Weekend, which will return Dec. 7 and 8.

He said he’s happy that local businesses are getting involved, not only as sponsors, but by holding their own special events during the festival.

Among them are Pastaio Cucina Rustica Italiana and the Valley Wine Cellar, which have special plans for Heritage Month; and EZ Fresh Meals, which will be holding a homemade baked bean contest for Let Liberty Ring Month.

John said additional sponsors are welcome and should contact him at the above number.