by Crissy Clutter

The 34th annual Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival is underway in downtown Wheeling. The crowd is getting bigger as more and more people finish work this Friday evening and head for Italian wine, food, music and more. News9 has been at the festival since it began at noon, and a big crowd has been consistent throughout the day.

The granddaughter of the late Joe Ripoly, 2016 Italian American of the Year, cut the ribbon Friday afternoon with city officials, community leaders and board members standing by. "Bocce, bocce, bocce, bocce, that was his favorite thing about the Italian Festival," said Jessica Schmidt, Ripoly's granddaughter. "I can remember when it used to be on Market Street and it's grown and we should be proud. I enjoy coming down and seeing the different people," said Chad Thalman, vice mayor of Wheeling.

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Source: http://wtov9.com/