Crowds line the path along Mansion Woods at Oglebayfest, where scores vendors offer their unique crafts, wares, artworks and cuisine in the Artists' and Gourmet Market. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING – A seasonal transition from summer to fall is being celebrated in a big way this weekend at Oglebay Park, where the 47th Oglebayfest officially kicked off Friday afternoon.

Many people claim fall as their favorite season, and by the look of the early crowd that migrated to the artists’ market in the Mansion Woods by noon on Friday, revelers seemed to be ready to ring in autumn at the wildly popular post-equinox event.

“This is our 47th year of OglebayFest – amazing,” said Bob Peckenpagh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission. “It has been a celebration for all 47 years. A thank-you goes out to the community and the greater Ohio Valley for participating in the parks all summer long, and this is our ‘thank-you’ to you – and an invitation for you to come out for one last hoorah before the season changes and people start to hibernate a little bit.”

Officials at Oglebay took note of the fact that the weekend forecast could not be much better for the outdoor festivities, which continue through Sunday. Representatives of the Wheeling Park Commission, Oglebay Institute and presenting sponsor for Oglebayfest – WVU Medicine – gathered at the Mansion Woods gate at noon on Friday to cut the ribbon and officially declare the event open to the public.

“What a great tradition of community. This is a wonderful event,” said Doug Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine’s hospitals in the region. “When you come into a WVU Medicine facility, we’re going to give you the right care, at the right time and at the right place. We want to be that partner in health care, and we want to give back to the community. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be here and to kick off such a wonderful tradition of community support.”

Oglebayfest boasts a variety of attractions, activities and events – but a central hub of activity is the Phil Maxwell Artists’ and Gourmet Market, located behind the Mansion Museum and presented by Oglebay Institute.

Danielle Cross McCracken, president of Oglebay Institute, encouraged visitors to support local artists and artisans at the Artists’ and Gourmet Market. A total of 80 vendors along the trail in the Mansion Woods are showcasing their unique artworks, crafts, gourmet food and more at Oglebayfest this weekend. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

“We really value our partnership with the park,” said Danielle Cross McCracken, president of Oglebay Institute, who noted that OI’s crew from the Stifel Fine Arts play an instrumental role in organizing the array of vendors at Oglebayfest. “They plan, facilitate and implement the artists market every year and just do a fantastic job. This year, we’re very excited to have 22 new vendors. We have 80 vendors from the region that are selling art and gourmet food, and we have some artist demos that will be happening here throughout the weekend.”

McCracken said Oglebayfest offers a great opportunity for the public to come see unique works by some of the area’s most talented artists and artisans – all in one spot.

“I hope everyone will come out, enjoy everything that OglebayFest has to offer and support our artists,” she said.

There will be plenty of family friendly activities all weekend at Oglebay as part of the festivities.

At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, there will be a parade starting at the Good Zoo. Later in the evening, a fireworks display will light up the sky over Schenk Lake at dusk.

There will be a variety of live musical performances by local artists on both the Mansion Woods stage and at the German-style Rathskeller at the Hess Shelter, which boasts a beer garden with seasonal and domestic brews, as well as traditional German dishes like bratwurst, sauerkraut and German potato salad. The Rathskeller will also host a stein-holding competition at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The Oglebayfest 0.5K Beer Dash will take place at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Shenk Lake. The goal is to finish the race quickly without spilling too much beer out of a mug. Registration is $20 and includes a souvenir mug and two beer refills. Participants must bring a valid ID. Underage participants will receive non-alcoholic beverages. Same-day registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Hess Shelter.

The Ohio County Fair is taking place at the Levenson Shelter area and features intricate quilts, homegrown foods and friendly animals. Visitors can participate in traditional competitions such as hog calling, fiddling, rock throwing and baby crawling contests.

There will be free designated parking areas throughout the park, and for the convenience of guests, Oglebay will be offering free shuttle service. Guests will be transported to and from key locations such as Schenk Lake, the Good Zoo, the Mansion Museum, The Hilltop, the Crispin Center and Wilson Lodge.

“We invite you all to come out and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend,” Peckenpaugh said. “There are so many things going on – check out the website and come on out anytime you can.”

For a full list of scheduled activities at Oglebayfest, visit www.oglebay.com/oglebayfest.

Karen Schmitt of Wheeling, left, with a happy Willow in hand, and Angie Reitter of Belmont, check out some of the aromatic wares at the Stone Cottage Apothecary booth at Oglebayfest. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Musician Gregg Molnar performs for the early arrivals Friday afternoon when the 47th annual Oglebayfest kicked off at Oglebay Park. Dozens of live musical acts are scheduled to perform on two stages at the park throughout the weekend. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission, welcomes guests to the 47th annual Oglebayfest on Friday. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Jordan Gibson works the grill at Maw’s Country Fixin’s from Washington, Pa., filling the air of the Artists’ and Gourmet Market with an aroma of sizzling sausage and potatoes. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Doug Mayles and Rosanne Tucker of RoDoWV displayed their Mountain State pride with magnets crafted from hand-made, state-shaped molds – along with many other unique items at their booth at Oglebayfest. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Hand-crafted items and unique gift ideas abound at the Artists’ and Gourmet Market at Oglebayfest. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Doug Harrison, president and CEO of WVU Medicine’s area hospitals, speaks Friday during the opening of Oglebayfest, for which WVU Medicine is a presenting sponsor. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Natalie Herold of The Original Herold’s Kettle Korn of Butler, Pa., fills one of many bags of their signature kettle corn as the 2024 Oglebayfest kicked off on Friday. Herold’s fresh kettle corn provides a trademark aroma to the festival grounds and has been one of the most popular items in the Artists’ and Gourmet Market for 25 years. (Photos by Eric Ayres)

Crowds line the path along Mansion Woods at Oglebayfest, where scores vendors offer their unique crafts, wares, artworks and cuisine in the Artists’ and Gourmet Market. (Photos by Eric Ayres)