CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — The popular annual celebration of Italian heritage in the Mountain State has officially kicked off in Clarksburg.
The 46th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival officially started the festivities on Friday, with events and activities scheduled to take place until Sunday, August 31st. Chair of the Italian Heritage Festival Board Bill Boyles encourages North Central West Virginia residents to join in the fun that will take place right in the heart of downtown Clarksburg with generations of families celebrating Italian heritage.
“We’re going to pull all of our vendors in, and all of those vendors are either food vendors or craft vendors, but the biggest thing is the food,” said Boyles. “Any type of Italian food you might have desires for will be on the street.”
According to Boyles, over two dozen different Italian-based dishes will be served as part of the 46th Annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. This will include local food and artisan vendors that will be serving dishes ranging from caprese salads to smoked meats. Those will also be separate from the annual pasta-making contest “Pasta Palooza,” where over 40 different pastas along with homemade sauces from Clarksburg area Italian families will be tried for consideration. Dishes ranging from unique brunch items to desserts will be available throughout the weekend.
“It’s a fun time, dancing in the streets, as far as food, we’re going to have hoagies, steak sandwiches, sausage hoagies, and pizza, you’re (even) going to have the cannolis,” said Boyles. “Everything Italian will be there.”
Live music will also take place throughout the weekend as part of the 46th Annual Italian Heritage Festival. Among the performers that will take the main stage will be Italian American music legend Frankie Avalon as well as authentic Italian music band AMICI, who take the stage on Saturday and Sunday. Boyles added that two more groups are scheduled to take the stage during the festival, along with performances by the Robert C. Byrd High School and Bridgeport High School music ensembles, among many others.
“We have Frankie Avalon that’s going to be our Sunday entertainment, and we have Seven Bridges, they’re kind of an Eagles tribute band, and they’re going to be there on Saturday,” said Boyles.
Anyone who wishes to attend the 46th Annual Italian Heritage Festival will be able to do so free of charge. No costs are in place for all of the musical acts that will take the stage over the weekend, with prices for Italian food dishes expected to vary depending on the vendor. With over 40 years of Clarksburg area Italian heritage expected to be on display, Boyles hopes North Central West Virginians are able to stop by and celebrate.
“There’s no charge to come in, so this is a very special festival that you can just come and attend and watch everything without spending any money,” said Boyles.