NEW SERIES — The City of Weirton announced the launch of its own summer concert series Tuesday, with the first show to be held Friday evening at the Weirton Event Center. Taking part in the announcement were, from left, Assistant City Manager DeeAnn Pulliam, Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, Mayor Dean Harris, and Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — In response to comments they have received from the community, officials with the City of Weirton are launching their own concert series.

Weirton Council, during its meeting Monday, agreed to allocate $25,000 toward the organization of a series of community events, and, Tuesday afternoon, officials gathered at the Weirton Event Center to officially announce a new Friday concert series.

“We’ve had concerts on Friday nights for years,” noted Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, who had raised the issue in response to discussions with residents and posts on social media.

The Top of West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau has hosted concerts on Friday nights during the summer for close to 15 years. The local tourism organization, this year, decided to change the format of its events to feature a monthly activity, dubbed “Second Saturdays,” to include not only live musical entertainment, but also farmers and artisans markets, food trucks, community activities and more.

Stead explained the new Friday night concerts, organized under the auspices of the Weirton Festival Committee, with support from city council and other city officials, is a way to keep those Friday events going and draw people to Weirton’s downtown.

“This is a group effort to bring that back,” Stead said.

The first concert will be held at the Weirton Event Center Friday, featuring The Fantasy’s. Gates will open at 6 p.m., with the performance set to start at 7 p.m.

In addition, the city has arranged for a food truck – Ash and Kris, offering Mediterranean cuisine – to be on hand.

The Ron Retzer Trio will be showcased June 20, and Z-Town Street Band will be on the stage June 27.

Officials note they are still working to schedule bands for dates in July and August.

Parks Director Coty Shingle said the concerts are a way for the city to provide a community activity, with the potential to draw from not only the city of Weirton and Hancock and Brooke counties, but from communities in neighboring Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“We’re catering to a need,” Shingle said. “It becomes a tri-state-wide event.”

A shuttle service will be available from Weirton Ride, with beginning trips from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and the return shuttle from 9 p.m. until everyone is in their cars.