Italian Heritage Festival facts for kids
The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival is a super fun event that happens every year in Clarksburg, West Virginia. It takes place during the Labor Day weekend. This festival celebrates the amazing culture and history of Italian-American people in the area. It started in 1979 and has grown so much that it's now known as one of the "Top 100 Events in North America"! Each year, over 100,000 people come to Clarksburg to enjoy this three-day street party.
How the Festival Started
The West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival began in 1979. It was created to celebrate the rich heritage of Italian-American people living in north-central West Virginia. The very first festival was a huge success! More than 80,000 visitors came to enjoy the fun.
A famous baseball player, Joe DiMaggio, was even part of the first parade. He rode in a car with the Governor and a Senator. The main event that year was a free concert by singer Jerry Vale.
In 2020, many outdoor events, including this festival, had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some events moved online instead.
What Happens at the Festival?
The festival takes over downtown Clarksburg every Labor Day weekend. The streets where the festival happens are completely closed to cars. This creates a lively atmosphere filled with colorful displays, exciting entertainment, and lots of music. And, of course, there's a huge variety of delicious food and drinks!
The festival kicks off with special opening ceremonies. This is when the royal court of Regina Maria is crowned. "Regina" means "Queen" in Italian, and Maria was the name of Italy's first queen. The festival ends with a traditional ball.
In between, there are many great events to enjoy. These include an annual 5k run, a golf tournament, and a fun pasta cook-off.
Special Awards and Tributes
Each year, the festival honors amazing Americans. They give out special awards to people who have done great things. These awards celebrate both outstanding Italian-Americans from West Virginia and other important people.
