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WHEELING — Since the inception of Oglebayfest in 1978, members of the Dowler family have made it a family tradition to sit beneath the same shade tree on a small knoll in Oglebay Park to watch the annual fall parade make its way along the winding roads of the park.
Saturday was no different, according to sisters-in-laws, Janet Dowler of Wheeling and Wheeling native Denetta Dowler, who sat beneath the same tree in lawn chairs across from the park's telescope observatory, waiting for other family members to arrive for the start of the parade. They said it was the perfect spot to watch the parade as it slows down for the large bend in the road.
"It's a Dowler family tradition to be here under this tree for the parade since it started," said Janet Dowler. "We used to rent a chalet," she added.
Dowler said they have a series of pictures that shows four generations of their family enjoying the fall parade beneath the same tree. Like many people attending the annual fall festival, she said it feels great to be able to be outside under sunny skies and warm conditions enjoying the festival after it was cancelled last year because of the pandemic.
"I think today is going to be great and it's nice to be out," Dowler added.
Hundreds of families lined the rolling hills between the Good Zoo and Wilson Lodge waiting for the parade to pass under near perfect weather conditions. Led by the West Liberty University Marching Band, the parade included a variety of entries; including colorful floats, tractors, and prancing horses.
Bridgeport resident Shaye Wallace, who had family members on the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Wheeling Lodge #9 float, said it felt absolutely wonderful to be out enjoying the festival once again. She said they had a float entry in the parade in years past. She said this year's float was fall (season) themed, with pumpkins, hay bales and scarecrows adorning the float.
"It feels like life is happening all over again. It is fantastic," Wallace said. "What we focus on as a group is friendship, love and truth, and our colors are red white and blue. ... We wanted to tie that into the fall theme for Octoberfest," she added.
Frank Pusateri, who was playing the accordion with the Alpen Glow German band at the festival's Rathskeller said getting out and playing for Oglebayfest again is "fantastic." The band has performed for the festival for well over three decades.
"You miss it so much, but the best part is when you see the interaction with the people, especially when they're dancing out here … there's nothing like it," Pusateri commented. "It's hard to tell who's having more fun, them, or me," he said with a smile.
Belle Vernon, Pa., residents Christina and Abraham Sullivan, who stood at the edge of a Site One near the Good Zoo to get a glimpse of their daughter marching in the parade with the West Liberty University band, said this was the first year they have attended Oglebayfest.
They said it was truly exciting to be out enjoying events like Oglebayfest once again, after many events were cancelled last year due to the pandemic.
"It's awesome to be able to be amongst other people and not be closed in," Christina explained.