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These are a few slides I put together for those who enjoy going to an Italian Festival. A beautiful tradition started some 32 years ago in Clarksburg, West Virginia and quickly grew to be a major Festival in the United States. Rated the 4th largest.

This Year’s Festival will celebrate its 32nd Anniversary, September 3, 4 and 5, 2010. The WVIHF has been rated among the "Top 100 Events in North America" by the ABA, a "Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society" & on of the "Top 4 Italian Festival's" in the nation by the National Sons of Italy. It was born out of Love, and a pride in the cultural heritage of Italian-Americans in West Virginia,

During the first West Virginia Italian Festival in 1979, the wine flowed, tantalizing arrays of delectable food abound and the music was fast-paced. With color, pageantry, entertainment, events, contests, exhibitions and displays packing the streets of uptown Clarksburg, the Festival was an instant success. People flock to this little town and fill the hotels and motels of the surrounding cities. A great fun event, and a great way to also have “reunions.”

The Main Street is blocked off

The courthouse is converted into the main stage.

egemen gülegemen gül

Standing room only or bring your own chairs

It Starts usually with a Thursday Pasta cook off. And A dinner honoring the Italian Man of the year, and Italian Woman of the Year. This year I am told that it is Bobby and Donnie Adams from Las Vegas, who of course are originally from Clarksburg. Successful owners of All State Tours of Las Vegas. Here is a list of past Italian Man of the year.

Singers and Dancers perform all day long

• Past Man of the Year Awards

• 1980 Nicholas T. Camicia1981 Dr. Jay Arena1982 Leo Vecellio1983 Capt. Tom Paul Scott, USN1984 Dr. K. Alvin Merendino1985 Robert DeProspero1986 Lt. Gen. Leonard H. Perroots1987 Michael C. Paterno1988 Joseph Antonini1989 Rear Admiral Thomas Lopez1990 Larry Ciccarelli1991 Brig. Gen. Tom Mancinelli1992 Dr. Thomas Mazzocco1993 Angelo S. Petitto1994 Augustine A. Mazzei, Jr.1995 Joseph L. Tropea1996 Frank A. Oliverio1997 Larry Argiro1998 Joseph F. Fuscaldo1999 Andrew J. Paterno2000 Lucius Cavallero2001 Victor Basile2002 Father Hilarion Cann2003 A. James Manchin2004 Russell Bonasso & Samuel Bonasso2005 Carmine J. Cann2006 Joseph M. Minard2007 Leonard J. "Joe" Trupo & Louis J. "Zeke" Trupo2008 Michael A. Oliverio2009 Governor Joe Manchin III

• Not unusual to see people dancing in the streets all hours day and night during the festival

Betty danced at

every festival that

I can remember

• Constant Entertainment For all ages

A great Master of Ceremonies, every yearProviding great Music andEntertainment all day longThroughout the festival. “Amici”

Homemade Italian Dishes Everywhere

Believe me its’s not Digorno’s

The streets are cleared and the dancers do their folk dances on a moments notice throughout the day and during the night.

Always entertainment for the Children

• As for the kids this picture says it all

Saturday morning is Parade Day

The parade has a little bit of everything. Celebrities Grand Marshals, Politicians. Singers and Comedians. Local High School Bands Church dignitaries and a lot of Community Clubs and organiza- tions. It is really a lot of fun for all. The officials and guest carry lot of hard candy on the floats, And shower the kids along the way with lots of candy. It’s a great time for everyone and all ages. The following is a list of just a few of the pastGrand Marshals and celebrity guests

Here are a few of our past Grand Marshals COACH’S ROLLIE MASSIMINO AND TOMMY LASORDA. Champion Pool Player WILLI MOSCONI. Champion Boxer, the great ROCKY GRAZZINO. Many more I’ve forgotten. Some great entertainers such as singer Jerry Vale,The Gaylords, Sam Buterra, Al Martino, The list goes on and on. The West Virginia Italian Festival is by far the best.I really hope you get to see at least one.

Scubby is a regular favorite

a Queen and her Court Is Honored In The Parade

Snoopy get in on the act too! Lots of fun for the kids

Long time friend and State Senator Joe Minard

GRAND MARSHAL ROD HUNDLEY WVU’S VERY OWN

Kids still go nuts over these guys too,Tom and Jerry

Here we have Pauly greeting Bob & John Adams

This year’s Italian Man of the Year award goes to these brothers.

Nicky and wife Joretta Roxy Tommy Carmen

Mr. and Mrs. John Adams and Tom Basile

TWO PAULS

ROMANO

CHICARELL

Anthoney and Me.Classmates and old friends. I use to work for his family When they had the Drive In. What great fun we had then 1953 and 54.

Tom Basile Joe Oliverio Lou Tiano enjoying the Fest.

Beer & camera in hand another old friend Mike Audia

Three Generations of Italians Betty, Folly, Clare.

Frank Oliverio affectionately known as Frankie Furniture

Joe Minard and Paul Romano “cugini”

Alexa Jada Amy Steve Chicarell “MY BABES”

Tom & Sheila Lopez and Tom Basile

Mary Jane “Folio” Martin - Have some lottery tickets-

Mark Basile manager of the KOI in LA and his brother Tom

Always great to seeJohn And Anna Secreto life long friends

Everyone knows Filomena and Beez

Sonny OliverioTaking a well earned break

before the real crowd comes

Jada, Alexa, greeting old friends of their dad Steve.

Anthony Ellis and Frank Oliverio

“Look Mom” That guy is everywhere!!

My old Lockheed buddy Sam Clementi

Steve Mutafis and sister Argie and Friends

Me and Mike Minutelli

Mike and my beautiful daughter Kandy, she loves meeting my old friends.

Anita’s daughter(spiting image of her mom.) with Frank & Gail.

Anthony and Me and son Steve winding down a great evening.

Bobby Cotter and wife selling their art work

Sunday morning Mass at 11:00 Am. is held on Main St. If you would have told me in 1955 when I graduated that someday over 3,000 Catholics and friends would celebrate Mass on main street, I would of said you are crazy, in this slide Joe Fuscaldo of Las Vegas is going to do the gospel reading. He was Man of the year 1998. Father Larry Cann usually presides.

I hope you have enjoyed the show If you have, be sure and tell all of your friends about it. I would like to extend a offer to email me any comments you wish to make on myItalian music site also. I will be happy to correct any errors you find.E-mail me at chicie55@cox.net

www.italiansongtranslation.com/

This entire show is dedicated to myGood friend Tom Basile. That is whyI have shown many slides of him. The background music I selected isTommy’s Dad’s favorite song. It is by Luciano Pavarotti. “ Roman Gutiar” I have translated The lyrica on the final slide, thank you for watching.

CHITARRA ROMANA

Sotto un manto di stelle Roma bella mi appare solitario il mio cuor Under a blanket of stars, beautiful Rome appears to my lonely heart.

disilluso d'amor va nell'ombra a cantar...Una muta fontanaDisalusions of love I go in the shadows to sing. A silent fountain.

a un balcone lassu' O chitarra romana accompagna mi tuUp there on the balcony, O my Roman Guitar accompanies me

Suona suona mia chitarra lascia piangere il mio cuorePlay Play my guitar, It leaves a cry in my heart.

senza casa e senza amore mi rimani solo tu Se la voce e' un po' velatawithout a home and without love, I remain alone. And this veiled voice

accompagna mi in sordina la mia bella fornarina al balcone non c'e' piu'accompanies me in softness, my beautiful Fornarina at the balcony no more.

Lungotevere dorme mentre il fiume cammina,On the bank I sleep and walk along the river.

io lo seguo perchè mi trascina con sè e travolge il mio cuor.I follow like I’m dragging my overwhelming heart.

Vedo un ombra lontana e una stella lassù, o chitarra romana accompagnami tu.I see a long shadow, a star up there, Roman Guitar accompanies me.

The End