Over the Fall Long Weekend, Linsly students and faculty enjoyed the 45th annual edition of Oglebayfest. In 1979, the park was celebrating their 50th anniversary and held the first festival. People from all over the tri-state area come to experience the excitement of Oglebayfest.
The fest offers a variety of activities including shopping at local vendors, listening to music at Hess Shelter, visiting the Ohio County Fair and more. The vendors sold their handmade goods including pottery, photography, art, jewelry, crocheted items and food. They also had artists paint live at the event. Pittsburgh band Alpen Glow played German music while German dancers entertained. At the County Fair, there were contests such as pumpkin carving, cake decorating, hog calling, and rock throwing. An event filled Saturday started with a parade and ended with fireworks.
9th grader, Sydney Burke goes to the event every year with her family. She stated that it’s her “favorite weekend of the year.” She participated in several 4H competitions including the pumpkin carving and the rock throwing contests. Also in attendance was Frau Bauer, Linsly’s German language teacher. Her favorite part of the fest was shopping at the Mansion Woods craft tents. She said, “I believe in supporting local vendors.” She says that the music is authentic German party music from southern Germany, but is not popular where she is from.
If you’ve never been to Oglebayfest, mark your calendars for October 6th – 8th, 2023.
