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Welcome
to Greater Clarksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
Festivals and rich
heritage abound in the greater Clarksburg area. Whether it’s
celebrating some of our citizens’ heritage or browsing through
the genealogy books at the historic Waldomore, Clarksburg has
much to offer our visitors.
We are proud of our
two state supported heritage festivals-the West Virginia
Italian Heritage Festival and the West Virginia
Black Heritage Festival. We also enjoy several food festivals
including the Blackberry Festival and the Greek
Food Festival. We also have a special ethnic festival
that takes place each year in the newly revamped Glen Elk section
of Clarksburg. All in all, you can be sure to take pleasure in
all the wonderful foods and music at each of them. Check our information
about each of our hometown festivals at our Fairs
& Festivals page.
Local
News and Update
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GOVERNOR MANCHIN SIGNS PROCLAMATION
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On Monday, September 12, 2005 in the rotunda of the West Virginia state capitol, Governor Manchin signed a Proclamation declaring October, 2005 as Italian American Heritage and Culture Month. As the executive director of the Clarksburg Visitors Bureau, I was honored to be a part of this occasion and to see what a wonderful compassionate man our governor is.
This proclamation was signed before a large crowd who had come to Charleston to witness the governor's special tribute by the National Italian American Foundation from Washington, DC. As the first Italian American governor of West Virginia, Manchin was honored for his achievements by this organization.
NIAF chief executive officer, John Salamone, spoke to the crowd about the initiatives of the Foundation and its efforts to broaden its membership base and strengthen the ties beween Italian Americans in West Virginia. As a surprise to Governor Manchin, Mr. Salamone indicated this his friends from around the state had donated monies in excess of $10,000 for a scholarship in his honor. In addition, the NIAF foundation would match that amount, thus providing a $20,000 scholarship for an Italian American student from West Virginia at next year's annual gala.
Following this presentation, everyone was invited to the governor's mansion for a wonderful buffet dinner.
Below is the Proclamation in its entirety.
WHEREAS, every year the President of the Untied States signs an executive order designating the month of October as National Italian American Heritage Month; and,
WHEREAS, coinciding with the festivities surrounding Columbus Day, the proclamation is recognition of the many achievements, contributions, and successes of Americans of Italian descent as well as Italians in America; and,
WHEREAS, today there are over 25 million Americans of Italian descent in the United STates, with about 70,000 in the Mountain State, making them the one of the largest ethnic groups, and,
WHEREAS, many positive aspects of our culture, whether ir be art or music, law or politicns, reflects the influence of Italian Americans;, and,
WEHREAS, it is fitting and appropiate that we pay tribute to the countless contributions made by Italian Americans;
NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Joe Manchin, III, Governer of the State of West Virginia, do hereby proclaim October, 2005 as:
ITALIAN AMERICAN HERIETAGE AND CULTURE MONTH
in the Mountain State and encourage all citizens to join me in this observance.
Submitted by: Kathryn Titus, Executive Director, Greater Clarksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
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