The Grapevine: Recalling the Preparation for Some of the Earliest West Virginia Italian Heritage Festivals
By Rosalyn Queen on August 17, 2023 from The Grapevine
This time of the year always brings me back to the days as the director of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Some of these facts you may already know and some you may not know.
About this time, all plans have been made, all contracts signed and now the loose ends must be tied up. One of the major projects is the street and the setup. For many years this project was headed up by Anthony “Boo” Bellotte. 
By set up we mean the electricity for the booths, the decorative lights on the street, the construction of the stage, and overseeing the sound. This was a mammoth task, but Boo started with it and grew with it. We went from no stage to a stage, the electrical system updates and table set ups as well as booth set ups.
Another big project was the beverage set up, which meant placement of the booths, clubs to work the booths and supplying ice to the booths. This project, for many years was chaired by Dave Seaman. The beverage sale was one of the major fundraisers.
While all the set-ups were being taken care of, dinners and other events were being planned. Our very first Honorees banquet was held, and now Senator Joe Manchin headed this up. There was also a golf tournament and an elimination drawing with the late Victor “Block” Gabriel working these projects.
The Pasta Cook off, which was headed up by Kathie Titus became a very popular event. Plans were being finalized and contacts for the parade were made. Former Delegate Floyd Fullen and his committee organized the parade.
The late Tom Basile had the entertainment schedule finalized and was busy making plans for travel and lodging for the entertainers. Joan Smith had Queen Regina Maria and her court plans all finalized. Loretta Mazzie came up with the queen’s name after research on the first queen of Italy.
Veto and Lenora Destito lent their knowledge and expertise on the authentic Italian parts of the Italian heritage especially the food.
Ramona Rose and her dance team had been practicing and were ready with their presentation of authentic Italian dance. Merle Moore and her committee insisted that we present authentic culture events and she planned with WVU presentations of Italian Opera. These were held at the Waldomore that included an Italian film festival.
Plans were completed by Festival Treasurer John Shields for the daily collection of money and the correct depositing of it.
By this time our founders, John Manchin, James LaRosa, Lou Spatafore, Sam Chico, Sam D’Annunzio and Frank Iaquinta were in the background being sure that this would be an event we could all be proud of. Although their presence was not visible during festival weekend, they were overseeing the entire festival.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that I as director was just ready to tie up any loose ends and to oversee the smooth setup. I eagerly awaited the opening ceremony on the Harrison County Courthouse stage when we watched the no-longer functioning Union Bank clock strike twelve noon and the festival, on the street was on.
Good luck to festival organizers for this year’s festival, I truly know what it takes. A wish for good weather
Here is to a great festival and the return of our Italian Heritage. Thanks to the organizers.
A happy 67th anniversary to Joan and Virgil Smith. Happy Birthday to Vince and Nick Smith.
Stay healthy, stay happy and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
