Plans are in place to celebrate even more in 2026 The lights are out, the sing-alongs have gone silent, and the windows are brown-papered once again because the dismantling of Christmas is far too sad a sight. But, for nearly two months, it was indeed, magical, a joyful pause where everything was ‘Tis the season and every individual was merry no matter their age, their belief, or their memories. All were welcomed to its glisten and its glow, and it never failed to deliver what it promised one day after another this past holiday season. It invited the grumpy, the grouchy, and the Ba-Humbugs, and it gave them beauty and promise and tradition while Santa smiled no matter what song the singers sang. And memories were made at the Jingle Bar in downtown Wheeling this past holiday season, and that’s why owner Ken Sexton has already started planning on doing it again later this year. Ken Sexton is the Jingle Bar owner, and Gigi Zelewicz is his number one elf in charge of marketing and promotion. “We opened up the Jingle Bar with the idea that there'd be a few people here, but there were lots of people here and everyone seemed like they had a great time,” Sexton said. “There were a lot of nights when we saw 300 to 400 people, and I think we saw more than 5,000 from beginning to end. I still have to do all of the math, but we really enjoyed how many people made the Jingle Bar a part of their Christmas. “Now that we’re taking it all down, it’s bittersweet for sure,” he said. “But we have started talking about what we want to do next, and yes, I went to all of the clearance sales at The Highlands, so …” There was a wall of wreaths, and another covered in Santa caps, and the lights and bulbs and garlands were hung on the trees with hopes for carols and karaoke and trivia nights, too. Sexton's employees started dismantling the massive amount of decorations that made the Jingle Bar so spectacular. “Now that the process to take it all down has started, it’s been emotional because of all of the emails and text messages we’ve received about how much fun people had and how much they appreciate what we did with it. Those messages have meant a lot to us,” Sexton said. “People hugged us and thanked us, and I shook a lot of hands, too, and all of it was very special. I don’t think we expected those reactions. “You don’t get that every day, and I taught for 25 years and I don’t think I had that many students, parents, or anyone else thanking me during those years,” he said. “And we had people not just from the Wheeling area but from outside the area, too. People came back to Wheeling for the holidays, and a lot of them came here and celebrated with us, and it meant a lot to us. It made our holiday.” Most of the decorations inside the Jingle Bar were very elaborate, including this Santa and his Sleigh display. Boo!! It was the final Facebook update. “Last night we gave out our final Christmas Card of the Season! So many faces ... So many memories … Thank you to every single person who walked through our doors, raised a glass, shared a story, and made Jingle Bar feel like home.” “I also received a text from someone that really let me know we accomplished what we wanted,” Sexton explained. “It was a text from a lady who said her husband had passed two years ago and that she hadn't felt like celebrating Christmas … (but) her and her family, and the Jingle Bell, (all) made it so much better. It's been a painful process removing the decorations that help provide so much cheer for the two months the venue was open. “That’s why I know when some people see the paper over the windows, it’ll be a sad day because we had a lot of regulars,” he said. “I think we accomplished our goal, and that was to give people a reason to come back down to downtown Wheeling for Christmas.   “That’s exactly what happened, too, because people would go to a show at the Capitol (Theatre), to one of the Igloo dinners at the arena, or they would go to a restaurant, and then come here for a few drinks. That’s exactly what we hoped would happen. I felt like downtown Wheeling became a destination again, and it was a lot of fun to be a part of it.” What’s next? Sexton said most of the decoration will return later this year, but he's hinted at even more for 2026. Well, Sexton and his team already are preparing to pop up yet again, but maybe – just maybe – earlier than November like this past season. “We are kicking around a lot of ideas, and having a pop-up Halloween bar is one of them,” Sexton revealed. “We were thinking of leasing the location from October through the rest of the year, and if it’s back here (1001 Main Street), then great, but it could be at a different location. We’ll have to see what’s available when that time comes later this year. “We loved being downtown, and we loved seeing people come back to downtown for a lot of reasons; we were just happy to be one of those reasons,” he added. “And maybe we’ll see more pop-ups and people will have several to visit. That would be perfect.” Read the full article

“As long as the weather cooperates, it should be a very special evening in downtown Wheeling, and we encourage everyone to pay attention to the new surroundings.”

Along with the paved roads and new signalization in downtown Wheeling, Main and Market streets now feature new grow boxes and bioswales that will require the attention of those attending Friday evening’s Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade. The $37 million streetscape project is now scheduled for completion in the spring of 2026; however, the primary roadways in downtown are nearing completion. Main Street was paved during the summer of 2024, and Market was smoothed this past September, but the new environmentally friendly design included partially landscaped areas that are at least 18 inches deep in a number of areas along the parade route. Plus, most of those new drainage systems and the landscaping are situated in areas that spectators used to utilize as viewing spaces, and that’s why City Manager Robert Herron encourages parade goers to pay attention to the altered environment.    A part of the ongoing streetscape project was the implementation of bioswales for stormwater separation. “Anytime someone attends any type of public event, they should be aware of their surroundings,” he said. “We have worked diligently with Appalachian Power to get our streetlights back up after they were removed for the streetscape, and our downtown is now very well illuminated. “They are all LED now, and it’s really bright now,” Herron explained. “Our lighting at Market Plaza has been converted, too, and so have the lights at Heritage Port. It all looks spectacular.” The parade route begins near Centre Market and will continue north on Market Street before turning west on 19th Street and then south on Main Street. The parade then finishes in front of Main Street Bank at 20th Street. The annual procession is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. The Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade will celebrate its 40th anniversary by returning to the original course along Main and Market streets in downtown Wheeling. “By now, everyone should know about the streetscape in downtown Wheeling and know what to expect, so we just ask people to be careful. We don’t want anyone to get hurt because they’re not paying attention,” Herron said. “And we hope everyone realizes that there are new garbage cans everywhere along the parade route, and they will be maintained during the event on Friday night. “The areas for the bioswales and the landscaping areas are not for trash, and we know people realize that. We just hope the people attending the parade don’t use those areas for trash,” he said. “The vast majority of people are very good when it comes to not littering, but we do see some litter every year after the parade. That’s why our crews make a sweep as soon as the parade is over.” The Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade is orchestrated by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, an organization that named its new president – Jennifer Materkoski – this week after Kurt Zende resigned to return to the City of Wheeling as its economic development specialist. The parade’s course was changed the past two years because of streetscape construction, but Herron is excited for its return to the downtown area.     There are still orange construction cones in some areas of downtown Wheeling to warn those attending Friday evening's event. “We’ve been working with the Wheeling Chamber for the last four years on the parade route and the issues with the streetscape. Even before the streetscape, there were concerns about the condition of Main and Market streets with all of the infrastructure work that was happening,” Herrson explained. “But everyone is really excited to get back to the original course this Friday evening. “Along with the new lighting in our downtown, the city worked with Wheeling Heritage for the new ornaments that are on our light poles along Main and Market streets, and they look terrific,” he said. “Plus, the Capitol Theatre will be open, we have the new Jingle Bar on that corner, and the Bridge Tavern and River City both will have their outdoor dining areas open. “As long as the weather cooperates, it should be a very special evening in downtown Wheeling, and we encourage everyone to pay attention to the new surroundings.” Read the full article

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