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Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival in Wheeling Serves as Homecoming For Many

Photo by Scott McCloskey Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival volunteer Ryan LaBelle dances in front of the main stage Friday following the opening ceremony.

WHEELING — As the aroma of grilled sausage, steak and onions filled the air over Wheeling’s waterfront Friday, thousands of people turned out to celebrate Italian culture as the 34th-annual Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival got underway.

Despite hot and humid weather conditions, a large lunchtime crowd filled the street near Heritage Port looking over the dozens of food and craft vendors that line the festival midway. The event continues today and Sunday, with a Zambelli fireworks show scheduled to begin around 9:30 p.m. today.

Festival Chairman Ron Castellucci welcomed the crowd at the noon opening ceremony, before Jessica Schmidt, granddaughter of late Joe Ripoly, cut the ribbon in front of the main stage with dozens in attendance.

Ripoly was named the 2016 Italian-American of the Year just days before he died on May 14.

Schmidt said she was extremely proud to be asked to cut the ribbon on behalf of her grandfather. She said while this weekend is “bittersweet” for her family, accepting his award and cutting the ribbon was a tremendous honor.

Castellucci said the festival has become a sort of homecoming for many people from all over the Ohio Valley.

“It is a festival they look forward to. I think that probably a lot of the Italian-Americans here in the Wheeling area also look at this as a special weekend for them to come down and celebrate their heritage … but it is definitely a homecoming for the whole Ohio Valley. You’re looking at one of the largest festivals in West Virginia and probably the third-largest Italian Festival in the United States,” said Castellucci, who added the festival takes a tremendous amount of year-round planning and work. “Basically what it takes is a dedicated board of directors that’s willing to meet once a month, year-round. and as it gets closer we’re meeting twice a month. … We are constantly working on little things at home. We’re a volunteer board and we’re continually working to make this thing happen — make it bigger, make it better, make it more successful.”

Saturday’s entertainment lineup will begin at noon and include a military veterans’ appreciation ceremony and conclude with the fireworks show, followed by music from the band Hit Play from 10-11:15 p.m.

“A lot of stuff is happening here. Don’t let the heat scare you. … Stay hydrated, come on down and enjoy the festival,” Castellucci said.

Also, law enforcement has a busy day ahead of them with the OVAC All-Star Football Game also taking place this evening at Wheeling Island Stadium. The Wheeling Police and Fire departments will be on hand for special shifts at both locations, in addition to their normal daily patrols in Wheeling, according to Public Information Officer Philip Stahl.

In preparation for weekend festivities at Heritage Port, Acting Fire Chief Ed Geisel Sr. stopped by each food vendor at the festival on Friday to ensure they had the proper accommodations to avoid any fire issues. This includes making sure there is enough distance between stands, proper propane tank hookups and fire extinguishers.

For any issues that should arise during the festival, law enforcement, fire personnel and health department staff will be manning a large Unified Command Center on 12th Street.

“Using the command center as their temporary headquarters for the weekend should improve response times should an incident occur,” said Stahl.

Additionally, next to the Augustus Pollack statue on the back side of the DiRusso’s Italian Sausage stand, there is a blue paramedic tent and emergency vehicle for any medical emergencies that may happen, ranging from bee stings to dehydration and other heat-related illnesses.

“We’re just here to keep the public safe,” Stahl said. “When it comes to the all-star game on Saturday, be patient. Give yourself extra time and obviously be cautious — there will be a lot of foot traffic. Slow is the key word.”

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