Craig Howell SERVING – John Provenzano, 7, prepares a cup of lemonade for a customer Sunday. The Weirton youth set up a lemonade stand over the weekend, with the hope of raising money for a visit to the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

WEIRTON – A local youth has tapped into his entrepreneurial spirit to help take his family on a trip of his dreams.

Seven-year-old John Provenzano, son of Adam and Amber Provenzano of Weirton, has been asking to visit the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., for some time.

“He’s been asking for three summers,” Adam said noting they told their son if he would have to raise some money to help make the trip possible.

Holding a toy replica of the sunken ship, John said his interest in the museum, and the Titanic, comes from a love of ships.

Amber said John took the lead on the effort, making the decision to offer a lemonade stand which was set up near the corner of Marland Heights Road and Rothrock Avenue Saturday and Sunday.

Patrons also could purchase cookies or chips to go with their beverage, and each visitor also was entered into a drawing for a chance at tickets for a Steelers game.

Eight gallons of lemonade were prepared for the task – five gallons of regular lemonade and three gallons of pink lemonade – and, as of early Sunday afternoon, less than half a gallon remained.

“This was 100 percent him,” she said.

Word of the effort has reached Pigeon Forge, according to Amber, with staff at the Titanic Museum reaching out with some plans for when they are able to schedule the visit.

“The social media team is going to have a surprise for him,” she said.

The family offered thanks to the area residents and businesses who helped to spread the word, through word of mouth, social media postings and other means. United Bank posted a sign about the lemonade stand, Amber said, Big B’s Produce donated 60 lemons, with Hancock County Bigfoot making an appearance Saturday, and various social media posts receiving hundreds of reactions.

“The community support has been a blessing,” she said.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)