Wellsburg celebrates Independence Day with races, music, fireworks and more
Craig Howell OFFERING A SALUTE – Members of Cub Scout Pack 1553 performed the opening ceremony Saturday morning, with a flag raising at First Ward Park.
Craig Howell GOING THE DISTANCE – Area youth hit the course along 4th Street Saturday morning for the traditional Oil Can Derby race.
Craig Howell HONORED – Prior to the start of Saturday’s Oil Can Derby, event committee Chair Kevin Maloney, right, recognized former race coordinator Fred Marino for his years of service.
Craig Howell OFFERING A SALUTE – Members of Cub Scout Pack 1553 performed the opening ceremony Saturday morning, with a flag raising at First Ward Park.
Craig Howell GOING THE DISTANCE – Area youth hit the course along 4th Street Saturday morning for the traditional Oil Can Derby race.
Craig Howell HONORED – Prior to the start of Saturday’s Oil Can Derby, event committee Chair Kevin Maloney, right, recognized former race coordinator Fred Marino for his years of service.
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WELLSBURG - The community capped off a week of events over this past weekend in celebration of Independence Day with a parade, fireworks, and the return of one of Wellsburg's traditional holiday events.
Saturday morning's festivities kicked off with an opening ceremony featuring members of Cub Scout Pack 1553 performing a flag raising at the city's First Ward Park, followed by the Oil Can Derby, a soapbox-style race which has been a cornerstone of the city's Independence Day celebrations for decades.
Before the racers began their heats under the summer sun along the 4th Street course, race committee Chair Kevin Maloney has a list of thanks to offer, including to a previous race coordinator.
"As everyone knows, Fred Marino did this race for several years," Maloney said.
The Oil Can Derby traces its roots to the 1940s, getting its name from the canisters produced by Eagle Manufacturing which served as the race's primary sponsor for many years. The race dropped off for a while, but was revived in 2012, with Marino taking the lead for much of its more recent history.
In appreciation, he was presented with a commemorative plaque, honoring him for his years of service.
The modern version of the race includes youth - ages 8 to 14 - racing cars sponsored by area businesses and organizations in a series of heats to determine a winner. It is organized by a committee comprised by Maloney, Jane Stoner, Samantha Kuzma, Nanci Walker, Mike Riley, and Nancy Deters.
A banner displaying several dozen sponsors was displayed at the park.
"Please look at it and thank them," Maloney said.
Saturday served as the final official day of Wellsburg's festivities, although a previously scheduled Super Kids Race - rained out from its original date - was set to be held Sunday morning. Other activities Saturday included the Wellsburg Independence Day parade, a bike decorating contest, a performance by Splash Panel at the city's Town Square, and a fireworks display.
It capped off several days of events for residents and visitors, such as a three-on-three basketball tournament, pickleball tournament, hot dog eating contest, fishing tournament, Oreo stacking contest, and live music every night.
Speaking through a social media post on behalf of the Wellsburg Fourth of July Committee, member Dan Otto acknowledged there had been many obstacles for the committee in arranging this year's celebration.
"It has been a challenge every stop of the way, but our small team refused to let our community down," he said. "To everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, donated, and supported us - thank you. Your encouragement kept us going through one obstacle after another."
In addition to Otto, the committee included Megan Rogerson, Tom Puskarich, and Cody Rice.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)