Beautiful Weather, Beautiful Foliage at Oglebayfest
Perfect Conditions Draw Big Crowd At Fall Bash
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WHEELING -- At hills of Oglebay Park for the annual autumnal celebration of Oglebayfest, thousands filtered through the grassy slopes, surrounded by food, shops, music, and plenty of dogs.
Oglebayfest's 45th year was met with brisk mornings which gave way to clear, cool days that didn't get too cold -- a perfect weekend for guests. Wheeling resident Allan Boyd said uncooperative weather had been a frequent foe at the fest, but not this year, which saw great crowds on each day of the weekend celebration.
"The weather is probably as good as I've seen it; sometimes it's real cold, other times it's too hot, and most of the time it rains," Boyd said. "Yesterday, they said they were totally filled up throughout here."
"I love it. I come every year," added Kim Ghaphery. "It's a great fall event. It's nice being outside, great food, great vendors."
Both Ghaphery and first-time attendee Devan Kubancik brought their dogs, which were a common sight at Oglebayfest, from small dogs in sweaters carried like infants to massive mastiffs nearly as tall as their owners.
The presence of dozens of vendors, selling everything from hot-off-the-griddle fried food to artisanal jewelry and ceramics, were a major draw for many.
"I like all the different vendors, I like that they're local, and there's just a variety of stuff for everyone," Kubancik said.
For the vendors, both the visiting locals and the presence of other sellers were attractive notions. Lynne and Jeff Mamone, Martins Ferry residents who operate Purple Crow Studios, said they greatly enjoyed their first time selling their crafts at Oglebayfest and would be keen to return.
"We've had a lot of fun," Lynne said.
"That's the main thing - we met a lot of artists from outside the area, which was nice," Jeff added.
"We have been busy; this is our first year here, and in talking with other vendors, they said Friday was one of the busier Fridays they can recall."