Jackson Square in downtown Clarksburg was alive with festive food and music as the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival Pasta Cook-off whetted appetites for the Labor Day weekend festival. Hundreds of people showed up to enjoy the multitude of pasta sauces, bread, antipasto staples such as Greek and Italian olives, prosciutto, supresatta, cheeses and peppers.

Each of the food vendors had long lines, but none of the visitors was complaining. “I love this event,” said Steve Leach of Fairmont. “No matter how long the lines, the food is worth it.” A total of eight contestants entered 12 sauces in the Pasta Cook-Off. There also was a wine competition and a canned peppers competition.