Story and Video: Fall Community Tradition Returns With Oglebayfest
Photo by Eric Ayres Trending
WHEELING -- Oglebay Park kicked off one of its most popular annual events Friday, celebrating community, tradition and the arrival of fall with a weekend full of activities, exhibits and more at Oglebayfest.
The festivities continue through Sunday with scores of unique artisan vendors, local cuisine, live entertainment, family activities and fun for everyone.
Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission, said Oglebayfest has been a wildly popular community event at the park for nearly five decades now.
“It’s been going on since the 50th anniversary of the park when (former longtime CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission) Randy Worls and the team created this amazing event,” he said, noting the event’s rich history. “It started out small and was literally supposed to be a one-day event to celebrate the community. It was so popular, they decided to carry it on. Then through the years, it’s grown into a three-day event.”
Oglebayfest has expanded in many ways through the decades, thanks to its partnerships with other local entities that boast different featured attractions and events throughout the park over the course of the weekend.
Photo by Eric AyresOglebayfest officially opened on Friday at Oglebay Park, kicking off the fall season and showcasing local artists and artisans, signature food from unique vendors, music and a full slate of activities this weekend. From left are Eriks Janelsins, Oglebay Foundation president and CEO; Danielle McCracken, Oglebay Institute president; Justin Miller, Ohio County Country Fair; Bruce Archer, WVU Medicine vice president and general council; Jessica Moore, WVU Medicine associate vice president of Foundation and Community Relations; Keen Owen, Stifel Fine Arts Center director; Bob Peckenpaugh, Wheeling Park Commission president and CEO; and Rod Haley, Oglebay executive vice president.
“We’ve created a partnership with the Ohio County Country Fair -- that’s an amazing set of events within Oglebayfest,” Peckenpaugh said. “Through another great partnership with Oglebay Institute, we have the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market in the Mansion Woods, and many other activities. Oglebayfest is really a bringing together of all of these organizations in a way to offer something special that says ‘thank you’ to the community.”
A wide range of activities are scheduled throughout the weekend, with everything from a beer dash and beer stein holding contest to hog calling and baby crawling competitions, live music, an array of hand-crafted art and wares, fireworks and the annual Oglebayfest Parade.
“There’s something for everybody,” Peckenpaugh said. “It’s really a great weekend. There’s been a little bit of dampness to kick things off, but the weather is going to be perfect the rest of the weekend. It’s a beautiful time to be in the park. The fall colors are just starting to change. There’s always easy access into the park - we have signs that will help you find good parking, and we have shuttles running.
“We want to make sure that you have a chance to come up and truly experience this. If you haven’t seen it, you really do need to.”
Once again, WVU Medicine has stepped forward as the primary sponsor for Oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresA light rain early in the afternoon Friday settled the dust and eventually made way to clear skies as visitors traversed the many vendors’ booths at the Phil Maxwell Artists’ and Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest.
“We’ve been the presenting sponsor for many, many years,” said Jessica Moore, associate vice president of foundation and community relations for WVU Medicine. “It’s always an easy ‘yes.’ It’s such a beautiful, community-driven event. It’s a great thing for us to support.”
Moore said people of all ages come to enjoy the sights and sounds of the annual event, including many familiar faces from WVU Medicine -- including everyone from staff members to patients.
“There’s not an inch of Oglebay that isn’t touched by Oglebayfest this weekend,” she said. “It’s a labor of love by a lot of different folks who have a hand in the planning. There’s something for everyone here. It’s an all-day event, and good family fun.”
One of the more popular attractions and one that makes Oglebayfest truly unique is the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market, which features scores booths offering regional cuisine and unique, hand-crafted works by regional artists and artisan vendors.
“I came years ago, and I just was inspired by everybody creating things,” said glass artist Kori Collins of Meigs County, Ohio, who specializes in stained glass and original, hand-crafted glass art. “It definitely seemed like the place to bring my art to show it to people and share it. This is my first time. It’s kind of been a goal of mine, and I’m really excited to be here.”
Photo by Eric AyresGlass artist Kori Collins of Meigs County, Ohio assembles her original stained glass creations in the Divine Light Glass Works booth. Collins is one of the featured Emerging Artists this year, taking part in her first Oglebayfest as an exhibitor.
Collins and her vendor exhibit Divine Light Glass Works is one of the featured Emerging Artist displays, spotlighting first-time vendors and up-and-coming artists.
“Everyone is here to actually look at art and actually appreciate art,” Collins said. “It’s very hand-made-art centered, and that’s a very big draw for me.”
An anchor vendor in the Artists’ & Gourmet Market in Mansion Woods for many years has undoubtedly been Herold’s Original Kettle Korn of Butler, Pa. For veteran Oglebayfest patrons, the kettle corn stand is a must-visit destination at some point during a visit.
“We’ve been in business for 29 years, so about 28 of that, we’ve been coming,” Brian Herold said of the presence of the family business at Oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresA landmark in the heart of the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market and a true crowd favorite is Herold’s Original Kettle Korn, based in Butler, Pa. Natalie and Brian Herold said their signature kettle corn stand has been coming to Oglebayfest for decades, and they look forward to greeting the crowds every year.
“The people are just amazing,” Natalie Herold added. “They’re all so pleasant and friendly. Everybody wants their kettle corn, and they always make a point to come and say ‘hi.'”
Hours for the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The German Rathskeller beer garden at the Hess Shelter will offer seasonal and domestic brews, German-inspired dishes, live music, accordion tunes and folk dancing all weekend, with the annual beer stein holding competition at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
The Oglebayfest Parade steps off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, featuring organizations, schools and clubs from throughout the region parading around Schenk Lake and the hilltop along Lodge Drive. A fireworks display will light up the sky over Schenk Lake after dusk on Saturday night.
At the Levenson Shelter, the Ohio County Country Fair will host a variety of activities and displays, including quilting demonstrations, homegrown foods, a 4-H pet show and crowd favorite competitions including hog calling, rock throwing, donut eating and baby crawling.
Photo by Eric AyresBraxton and Jourdan Nolte of Shirts N More offer a variety attire showcasing this year’s official Oglebayfest designs, which feature some of the Gourmet Market’s most iconic items – beer and kettle corn.
On Sunday at 11 a.m., the Oglebayfest 0.5K Beer Dash will make its way around Schenk Lake. Participants are challenged to make it to the finish line quickly and with as much beer left in their pitcher as possible. Registration is $20 and includes two beers and a souvenir mug. Non-alcoholic beverages are available for participants, as well, including those who are under drinking age.
The Good Zoo is open all weekend, as well, with special admission prices. People of all ages can enter the zoo at the children’s admission rate of $13.
For the complete schedule, event details and updates, visit oglebay.com/oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresA light rain early in the afternoon Friday settled the dust and eventually made way to clear skies as visitors traversed the many vendors’ booths at the Phil Maxwell Artists’ and Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresThe Troubadour – Bob Gaudio performs crowd favorites at the Mansion Woods stage as part of the full slate of live musical entertainment all weekend long at Oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresVisitors to the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest were happy to take in the sights, sounds and appetizing aromas of the popular annual fall festival at Oglebay Park.
Photo by Eric AyresHolden McKee shows his little sister, Stevie McKee, – both Alabama natives with Ohio Valley roots – a giant cuddly octopus hand crafted by Sassy Stitches & Designs, which offers a wide variety of uniquely crafted items and gift ideas.
Photo by Eric AyresAndrew Gibson of Ma’s Country Fixins gets the grill sizzling Friday at Oglebayfest, where the air around the Gourmet Market was filled with mouthwatering aromas of culinary artists’ signature cuisine. Ma’s Country Fixins has been bringing “good home cooking” to Oglebayfest for 25 years.
Photo by Eric AyresA light rain early in the afternoon Friday settled the dust and eventually made way to clear skies as visitors traversed the many vendors’ booths at the Phil Maxwell Artists’ and Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresDan Sullivan of Industry, Pa., now in his fifth year as an exhibitor at Oglebayfest, hangs up pieces of his Original Glass Worx display in the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market on Friday.
Photo by Eric AyresJ.C. and Nikki Stevens of The Weeping Willow Farm, based in Proctor, W.Va., display some of their unique, hand-crafted woodwork Friday at the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest.
Photo by Eric AyresRyan Moore of The Bear & The Bower of Beaver, Pa. showcases some of his unique functional ceramic pieces – on display in the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest and returning for the first time since 2023.
Photo by Eric AyresOglebayfest officially opened on Friday at Oglebay Park, kicking off the fall season and showcasing local artists and artisans, signature food from unique vendors, music and a full slate of activities this weekend. From left are Eriks Janelsins, Oglebay Foundation president and CEO; Danielle McCracken, Oglebay Institute president; Justin Miller, Ohio County Country Fair; Bruce Archer, WVU Medicine vice president and general council; Jessica Moore, WVU Medicine associate vice president of Foundation and Community Relations; Keen Owen, Stifel Fine Arts Center director; Bob Peckenpaugh, Wheeling Park Commission president and CEO; and Rod Haley, Oglebay executive vice president.
Photo by Eric AyresDan Sullivan of Industry, Pa., now in his fifth year as an exhibitor at Oglebayfest, hangs up pieces of his Original Glass Worx display in the Phil Maxwell Artists’ & Gourmet Market on Friday.