zNewsletter Sunday

Italian, Grecian Festivals, TBT Converge on Wheeling Next Weekend Amid Streetscape Work

WHEELING -- The heads of two long-time festivals say they are not concerned about the potential for more traffic impacting their events, plus The Basketball Tournament, all of which which are happening next weekend in Wheeling.

Meanwhile, city officials say they're ready for any traffic issues that could arise as visitors to those events navigate the orange cones and construction sites that have popped up through the Downtown Streetscape Project.

Two longstanding community festivals will share the weekend with a new neighbor this year. The Grecian Festival is slated for July 26-29 at St. John the Divine Church in Center Wheeling; the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival is July 28-30 at Heritage Port.

The Basketball Tournament, also known as the TBT, is scheduled for July 25-30 at WesBanco Arena. The West Virginia Regional, previously held in Charleston, has moved to Wheeling, and will feature some of the opening games of a $1 million, winner-take-all tournament featuring notable names on alumni teams from universities like Marshall, West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh.

On top of this influx of people is the ongoing Downtown Streetscape project, which has restricted motorists to one lane of traffic on Main Street in addition to closing several on-street parking places as well.

Gus Kayafas, director of the Grecian Fest, said he is not concerned about three events occurring at about the same time in the city. He welcomes potential new visitors to the Grecian Festival.

"This isn't the first time it's happened. The Italian Festival with the Greek Festival has been happening for about the past three or four years," he said.

"All of our people come through South Wheeling. We've never noticed people complaining about getting to us.

"We've never heard a complaint. We like the fact that there's simultaneous events. Sometimes people go to both; they start out with us and vice-versa."

Kayafas said the Downtown Streetscape Project is not close enough to the church to impact his festival. He said there is plenty of parking in the Center Wheeling area to accommodate people.

"We have parking in the south end of our festival. ... There are other areas to park and a grassy area," he said.

"There is plenty of free parking. There are no meters down there or construction. It's close to the Centre Market so a lot come from the Centre Market."

Kayafas said the festival becomes better attended each year, but they intend to keep it manageable.

"We don't want to go nuts and have it turn into something we can't control. Where we are now is fine," he said.

Anthony Filberto, chairman of the Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival, said he does not believe the Italian Festival will be negatively impacted by other events happening or the Downtown Streetscape work.

He believes the extra people coming into the city will be a plus for the festival.

"Will it impact us? We won't know until festival time," he said of additional traffic. "We will have to be patient with the traffic issues we do have.

"There is plenty of parking. There is the parking garage beside the arena and the McLure Hotel parking garage a block and a half away from the festival."

Filberto is excited by so much happening in the city, and that people have options for entertainment.

"I hope people who go to the Italian Festival go to the Grecian Festival and the basketball tournament," he said. "I hope the two events bring additional people to our festival.

"This gives the whole valley the opportunity to come and enjoy the things we have going on right now."

William Lanham, assistant city manager for the city of Wheeling, said the city is no stranger to dealing with traffic during large events and does anticipate any problems.

"The city of Wheeling has already experienced several large events this summer and everyone who attends events should plan to leave for the events a little earlier and remember to be patient and careful with vehicles and pedestrians," he said.

"Parking should not require any special plans; the parking garages and special events parking lots will be open.

"The Intermodal Parking Garage will have access from 14th Street to Nailers Way and the Main Street Entrance will also be open and the gravel parking lot behind Main Street Bank will be open for event parking during all the events."

Lanham said motorists should read signage carefully to ensure they are parked in legal parking locations.

"Parking along Main Street will be limited due to the ongoing construction and Water Street from 11th Street down to 12th Street and 14th Street will be closed for vendors and event set up," he noted.

"The Center Market and Center Wheeling Area for the Greek Fest should not be impacted by the downtown events."

He added the Wheeling Police Department will be patrolling the event areas and additional officers will be working each event.