Started in 1979, the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival (WVIHF) has continued for 45 years and has become one of the most-popular festivals in the United States.
From Aug. 30-Sept. 1, the 45th annual WVIHF will be held in Clarksburg. Hours are 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. An outdoor Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Sunday.
For those who can’t make it this year, there are daily live-streaming options.
According to Bill Boyles, chairman of the WVIHF Board of Directors, the event is expected to bring in about 50,000 people this year.
“Weather is always a factor, but if all cooperates, it should be another packed street,” he said.
Boyles added that there are about 75 vendors signed up for the event — many of whom are providing food and beverages.
The purpose behind the WVIHF is to recognize and honor the history of Italian heritage that has existed in the state throughout the years. Italian-Americans are an important community in West Virginia, so the founders believed that the festival would be a great way of honoring individuals within the traditions that have been passed on through generations.
“When the Italian immigrants came to America for a better life, most chose West Virginia because of the work in the coal mines, had family here and the geographical structure reminded them of Italy,” Boyles explained. “To ensure those traditions were not lost and continue the Italian heritage, those forefathers decided to start the [festival] to keep the traditions alive.”
Boyles noted that building the WVIHF was a slow, gradual process before the festival became what it is today.
“The first festival was in 1979, but preparations to start the first festival took a couple years to create the charter, the by-laws, and elect officers,” he said. “It has grown to the point where we are considered one of the top festivals in North America.
Since all the founders of the festival lived in Clarksburg — many of whom held local elected offices in the city — the event has always been held in that Harrison County city.
“With all the association with the city and the population of Italian-American heritage in the area, Clarksburg was the perfect fit,” said Boyles.
There will be a variety of events and activities going on throughout the weekend. Among the most-anticipated on the Antero Foundation Main Stage are:
- Steve Augeri, former lead vocalist of the rock band Journey, performing at 8:35 p.m. Friday
- The Morra Competition, 7 p.m. Saturday
- The Meatball Eating Contest, 11:35 a.m. Sunday
- The WVIHF Dancers, 2:45 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday
- The music group Amici will close out each night of the three-day event.
“My hope is that attendees realize the amount of work it takes to put on a festival and to appreciate those that took a chance for a new opportunity in America and the sacrifices each made,” Boyles said. “We are representing each of them and carrying on those family traditions.”
More information, including schedules, is available at wvihf.com.
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