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Wellsburg’s holiday celebration included many events

By WARREN SCOTT 4 min read

WELLSBURG -- From sitting back and listening to a variety of music to cheering on boys and girls as they raced down Fourth Street in soapbox style cars, there were many things to see and do in Wellsburg while celebrating the nation's birthday.

With financial support from many local businesses and groups, volunteers in the Wellsburg 4th of July Committee organized many of the events, including free concerts held on several nights at Central Park, corn hole and fishing tournaments and a parade on Charles Street leading up to a fireworks display that could be seen from many areas of the city.

Many gathered Tuesday morning for a flag raising ceremony at the E.R. Nichols 1st Ward Park, where local vocalist Marvin Whiteman performed the national anthem.

Whiteman also served as marshal for this year's Oil Can Derby, a race in which about 40 boys and girls made their way down Fourth Street in soapbox style cars.

Winners in the stock division, in which the driver and car may weigh no more than 210 pounds total, were: Liam Morris, first place; Blake Lancaster, second; Becket Utz, third place; and Saraphina Cuzman, fourth place.

Winners in the super stock division, for racers and cars weighing no more than 220 pounds, were: Spencer Speece, first place; Bayleigh Wade, second; Joss Barron, third; and Avery Green, fourth.

Many of the cars were sponsored by local businesses and groups, and awards were given for best appearance to a car in the stock division supported by Holiday Lanes and to another in the super stock division supported by Baron Design-Build.

The event takes its name from the chief product of Eagle Manufacturing, a local industry that sponsored it when it was launched in 1946. Popular for more than 25 years, it went on hiatus until it was revived by Marino in 2012.

Marino said it takes a dedicated group of volunteers to make it happen each year.

Among the many involved this year are Kevin Maloney, who spent many hours ensuring each of the cars was safe; Steve Mitchell and his family, Mark Woods, who videotaped the event; and local disc jockey David Secrist, who offered a heat by heat commentary.

Marino said he hopes new volunteers will step forward to fill gaps left when older ones are no longer able to help.

"I don't want it to go away," he said, noting good childhood memories of working on cars for the race with his late father, Al, inspired him to bring it back.

Former Brooke County sheriff Chuck Jackson was among many who turned out to cheer on children or grandchildren. And like many, he also had been in the race as a youth.

"I love it. I worked on cars for two granddaughters," he said, adding, "I came in second in the derby in 1965, when it was held on Dairy Queen hill."

Volunteers at the Brooke County Historical Museum and Culture Center showed films of past races and other Independence Day events to visitors over the weekend. The museum also is home to the car piloted by Dan Gilchrist, the derby's first winner in 1946.

All of the race's participants were invited to appear in the city's Independence Day parade along Charles Street.

Also appearing in the procession were children who took part in a bicycle decorating contest held by the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club just before it. An annual Wellsburg tradition, the contest challenges the youth to decorate their bikes in a patriotic theme.

This year's winners were: Tinley Beatty, for ages 4-6; Lyla Primis, for ages 7-9; and Shyla Tibbs, for age 10 and up; with Scarlet Schey being named the overall winner.

Serving as grand marshal for the parade was Jerry Adams, the Brooke County Veterans Memorial Park Foundation's Veteran of the Year.

Many of the events evoked a sense of nostalgia for the city's older residents.

Cathy Elliott of Wellsburg recalled working with other students in junior high on a float for the city's 2nd Ward park, stuffing chicken wire with hundreds of tissues under the direction of one of the playground supervisors the city employed then.

"There was a competition between the wards and we won for our Disney theme. I was Cinderella," she said, adding, "It was the best time."

Asked what she enjoys most about the celebration, her friend, Barbara Lewis said, "What's not to like? The parade, the fireworks, everything."

Elliott noted many former Wellsburg residents return home for the occasion.

"It's a homecoming for everybody," she said, adding, "This is one of the biggest celebrations in the valley."

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