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.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“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.
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.