CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Though it’s difficult to find a specific number, West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival Chairman Tyler Terango said Clarksburg’s 38th edition of the IHF will perhaps go down as one of the largest turnouts in the history of the Festival.
“Based off of what we saw last night on Friday, I believe we’re going to have a higher turnout in several years since I’ve been chairman,” he said Saturday afternoon.
Terango has been the Chairman of the Festival’s Board of Directors for four years. He said the turnout Friday–traditionally the beginning of the street fair portion of the festival–far exceeded the normal turnout of the historically busier Saturday nights of years past.
“I think that if you have never been to the West Virginian Italian Heritage Festival–where this is our 38th year–you are missing out on an experience of how the city of Clarksburg has transformed into a place that celebrates family, heritage, and culture for Labor Day Weekend.”
Though he was reluctant to discuss it out of superstition, Terango said superb weather certainly was playing a role.
“The rule I have with everyone is, ‘Don’t tell me what the weather is,'” he said. “We’ll deal with it when it comes.”
Thousands lined the streets Saturday afternoon, which followed the coronation Friday night of Regina Maria XXXVIII and Saturday morning’s Grand Parade. While downtown remains lined for three straight days with several dozen street vendors selling food, jewelry, face painting, and more, the main stage featured singers and performers that can be closely associated with Italian and Italian-American heritage.
But Terango said it’s not just about celebrating Italian pride or heritage. He said Americans of all creeds can take pride and join in the fun–saying it’s more about celebrating the coming together of many difficult heritages and cultures rather than just one.
“This is the greatest country in the world,” Terango said. “To be able to celebrate what we celebrate is unbelievable.”
Terango offered praise for the City of Clarksburg, who typically welcome in thousands upon thousands of out-of-towners every year for the festival.
“This festival would not have been successful for 38 years without the city of Clarksburg; their employees, their staff, their mayors,” Terango said. “They have been critical to continue the success of this festival.”
The festival continues Saturday night with music and other cultural events.
The Sunday Outdoor Mass begins at 10 am.