The city of Wheeling is preparing for a big holiday weekend with multiple events scheduled, attracting people from as far away as Florida.

In addition to the Vintage Raceboat Regatta, football teams from Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Florida are coming to Wheeling for the first “Friends of Coal Prep Classic,” a new high school football event being held at Wheeling Island Stadium.

The Convention and Visitors Bureau wants to make sure all those tourists take advantage of the city’s other events and features this weekend.

For the past couple of weeks, the bureau has been putting together visitor bags, including area maps, coupons and attraction guides. The bags will be distributed to tourists through local hotels.

Frank O’Brien of the Convention and Visitors Bureau said about 3,000 event tickets have gone out to the Pennsylvania teams coming in for the football games. O’Brien expects the out-of-town teams to spend some extra time in Wheeling.

Cynthia Johnson of the McLure Hotel in downtown has about 15 rooms left out of 170.

“I notice most people try to wrap around a football game and include an additional stay so they can do other things,” said O’Brien. “We absolutely believe they’ll be here for more than just football.”

O’Brien said some of the teams will be arriving in Wheeling Friday. The event kicks off with “An Evening with Don Nehlen” at WesBanco Arena Sunday.

Two local teams, Wheeling Central Catholic and Steubenville Catholic Central will play in the classic.