WELLSBURG, W. Va. -- Here in the Ohio Valley the economic recession has hit especially hard. But while many public Fourth of July celebrations are being scaled back, NEWS9 found one Independence Day party that is still continuing to grow.

Local business contributions for Wellsburg’s July Fourth party have sky-rocketed. Organizer Todd Ritchie says so many local businesses have backed the local bash that he’s had to turn some away. “Sponsors jumped to the opportunity to help us sponsor the Wellsburg Fourth of July. A Big thanks to all our sponsors. We’ve actually got sponsors in line.”

Many of the city sponsored events are scaling back during the recession. Wellsburg’s Fourth of July party is not sponsored by the city or taxpayer dollars, though city employees are donating their time for maintenance and nightly cleanup.

With household budgets equally tight, nearly a thousand people flocked to Central Park for an evening of free entertainment.

The festival now spans eight days and attracts visitors from as far away as Las Vegas, Nev.