It’s hard to imagine what the local region would be if, 40 years ago, two businessmen — G. Randolph Worls and Ross Felton — had not come together to create what we know today as the Winter Festival of Lights at Oglebay Park.

That initial event in 1984 — it went from an idea between Worls and Felton on how to drive more visitors to Oglebay to execution in 30 days — has set the stage for four decades of increased holiday joy in the Ohio Valley. A winter season is not complete for many in our region –and tens of thousands each winter from outside the area — without a drive through the lights.

“Over the last 40 years, more than 12 million guests have enjoyed the Oglebay Winter Festival of Lights,” Eriks Janelsins, president and CEO of the Oglebay Foundation, said during this year’s Light-Up Night. “Now it’s hard to imagine the park without the crowds of people lining up along Route 88 each December.”

What’s even more amazing is how Oglebay has kept the event fresh over the past 40 years. New displays created by students at Wheeling Park High School come in each year and the community support is wonderful.

“Lots of other communities have tried to do what we do, and they’ve failed,” Janelsins said. “They’ve tried to create something too big, and it came and it went.

“Here at Oglebay and Wheeling, we have this investment from our tourism partners, investment from the local media and the Chamber of Commerce, from our high schools, and from our corporate donor community. That investment only happens here at Oglebay.”

We agree, and thank those involved for what will be another successful Winter Festival of Lights. Make sure you and your family pay a visit this year — it’s a great way to celebrate the holidays.