Annual event marked by dinner for Italian-American of the year
By CASEY JUNKINS – Staff Writer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
WHEELING – The local area has changed a great deal since 1983, but one constant that remains is that thousands continue to make their way to downtown Wheeling every July for the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival.
The weekend of the 30th annual festival got off to a cheerful start during the Wednesday kickoff dinner at the McLure Hotel, where 2012 Italian-American of the Year Robert Contraguerro told attendees to enjoy the festivities from Friday through Sunday at Heritage Port.
“Dream big, work hard and you can be anything you want to be,” he advised those at the dinner.
Wheeling native Contraguerro is the owner of Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration. He said both sets of his grandparents immigrated to the United States from Naples, Italy, so gaining recognition for his heritage is very special for him. Contraguerro started his cleaning business in Wheeling in 1977.
Festival Chairman Robert Gaudio thanked those who help organize the event, noting all they really get for their work is some satisfaction and a T-shirt.
“You are the heart and soul of this festival,” he said.
Wheeling native Contraguerro is the owner of Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration. He said both sets of his grandparents immigrated to the United States from Naples, Italy, so gaining recognition for his heritage is very special for him. Contraguerro started his cleaning business in Wheeling in 1977.
Festival Chairman Robert Gaudio thanked those who help organize the event, noting all they really get for their work is some satisfaction and a T-shirt.
Honored as the 2012 Italian-American of the Year for the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival on Wednesday is Wheeling resident Robert Contraguerro.
“You are the heart and soul of this festival,” he said.
Awarded $1,000 scholarships as part of the festival this year were: Bethany Tinstman of Buckeye Local High School, Megan Theaker of St. Clairsville High School, Megan Salatino of Brooke High School, Rebecca Goyde of Wheeling Park High School, Morgan Pelley of Bishop Donahue High School, Jalena Marshall of Wheeling Park High School, Jillian Laslo of Shadyside High School, Lance Workman of John Marshall High School, Joshua Marosi of Brooke High School, Casey Wiltshire of Buckeye Local High School, Michael Mastromichalis of Weir High School, Kaylee LaPosta of Weir High School, Nicole Cheek of the West Virginia Northern Community College Culinary Arts program and Jennifer Ferguson of Oak Glen High School.
In 1983, festival founders Vincent Colaianni, Anthony Zambito Sr., Benny Battistelli and Anthony Iannarelli Sr. each invested $5,000 to fund the first Italian Festival, originally held on Market Street in Wheeling. The event has grown since then and whether you come for the music, the pizza, the pasta or the Bocce Tournament, this year’s festival is sure to have something for everyone.
More than 50 hours of free musical and cultural entertainment await those who attend the 2012 festival. Two stages of continuous live entertainment at the port will feature local and regional talent, while strolling musicians and dancers will entertain at various Water Street locations through Sunday.
