As we enter into the Labor Day weekend, which most of us consider the end of summer, my thoughts surround the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Since 1979, the streets of Clarksburg have been filled with the sounds of music and the smell of Italian food every Labor Day weekend.  Individuals come from all over the country to celebrate with us. And this annual festival is always a great time for many Clarksburg natives to come back home for a visit.

 

Our Italian Festival requires year round planning and a lot of work from a lot of dedicated volunteers.

 

From the very first festival we have always had a director which was hired by the board of directors.  Our first director was Bob Kovacehvich who was a native of southern West Virginia. He was a friend of the late Merle Moore's and had previous experience with directing our type of ethnic festival.  Bob got us through the first Festival.  

 

The Board then hired Lenora Riley to direct the next Festival. Lenora was a local resident and was responsible for taking the festival into its second year.  John Manna succeeded Riley.  He was a resident of Shinnston but was not a native West Virginian.  Manna served as director for several years. 

 

In 1983, Merle Moore and I volunteered as co-directors.  We ran that year's event on a shoe string budget, but still enjoyed a very successful festival due in great part to a wonderful and dedicated Board of Directors.

 

At the completion of that festival, I was hired as the full time director and served in that capacity until my retirement in 2001.  It was an exciting 22-years for me having served with so many dedicated volunteers and being able to bring so much to downtown Clarksburg.  

 

Sheila Hauser served as the director for a short while until Rachel Torchia was hired as the full time director.  After Rachel's resignation, the festival operated with an Office Manager and committees headed up by the Board of  Directors.

 

The Executive Director's job for the Festival is a mammoth one.  Not only do they oversee the daily operation of the festival but they are responsible for fund raising and for promotions and advertising.With only small grants from the state, from the County and from the City, the majority of funding must come from sponsors.

 

Of prime importance to the success of the festival is the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Individuals who have served as Chairman of the Board include James D. Larosa, Louie Spatafore, Sam Chico,  Victor Gabriel, Tom Basile, David Seamon, John Shields, Mike Fusco, Mary C. Queen, Weege Vargo, Tyler Terrango, Louie Aragona, Steve Pishner, Louis Iquinta, Russ Bonasso, Kim Gemondo, Mike Oliverio and Larry Cann.  Words cannot express the hours and hard work put forth by these individuals throughout their terms and then continuing to support the festival.  Most of the individuals headed up prime committees of the festival and could be seen working on the street during the Festival to make it a success.

 

When you attend the Festival this year, please remember all of these individuals who dedicate so much personal time to this event. They don't do it for the pay.  The do if for the love of their family and the Italian culture. 

 

The Festival is always looking for individuals who might be interested in serving on the Board and those who might like to volunteer for a special event. I salute each of the Board members because I truly know what it takes to be a part of this festival.  Without these individuals, we would not be able to have an Italian Festival. I also see by the board listing that there are still a few people who have been with the festival since its inception.  Hats off to them.

 

You can read more about this year's West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival by CLICKING HERE.

 

And just a reminder, the famous and always much anticipated Pasta Cook-Off is this coming Saturday at Jackson Square.  It is a wonderful time.  My family and children have entered the event several times of the years ... and have even won!  It's a great family-friendly event and I encourage you to enter the Cook-Off if you want to have some fun and allow others to taste you family recipies.  

 

Tasting starts at noon but you better get there early.

 

Hope to see you on the street and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."

 

Editor's Note: Top photo (and cover photo) of individuals having a bit of fun at a recent Italian Heritage Festival courtesy of Rocky Romano. Bottom photo is of Mary Frances Smith, an annual performer at the event that happens to be Bridgeport High School's assistant principal. Bottom photo courtesy of the WVIHF Web site.