The 30th Annual Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival kicked off Friday with thousands in attendance.
For the past week, dozens of volunteers have been preparing delicious Italian food.
Members of The Sons of Italy continued their yearly tradition of making spicy sausage sandwiches to be dished out during the three day festival.
The volunteer sausage-makers aren't hard to come by according to The Sons of Italy because it's part of their heritage.
Along with great food hours there will be plenty of entertainment including 50 hours of free music on two stages which will feature local and regional talent through the festival.
Another special attraction this year includes Little Italy Plaza, a wine bar, folk dancing and the traditional fireworks on Saturday night.
Another newer tradition that will carry on for this year's Italian Festival which is the wristband program.
To curb underage drinking, wristbands will be required for festival-goers of drinking age so Wheeling Police can easily identify over and underage people attending the festival.
Wristbands are $2-a-day and can be purchased near beer and wine booths.
While the festival is going on Wheeling Police would also like to warn residents of streets being closed.
Water Street, where the festival is held, along with 11th and 12th Streets from Main to Water Street will be closed.
South Street that runs between the Intermodal Center and WesBanco arena will also be closed.
Deputy Chief Marty Kimball advises everyone to allow enough time to get to the Italian Festival early so they can enjoy it safely.
WTRF will be covering the Ohio Valley tradition throughout the weekend.
WTRF is a proud sponsor of this event.
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