That year, the parade included baseball Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio as marshal, who shared his car with then Governor Jay Rockefeller and Senator Jennings Randolph.
The festival takes place in downtown Clarksburg, annually on Labor Day weekend.
The atmosphere the festival creates is full of pageantry, entertainment, music, and of course a wide array of food and drink.
From the opening ceremonies, when the royal court of Regina Maria (Regina meaning "Queen" and Maria the name of the first queen of Italy), is crowned, to its conclusion with the traditional festival ball the festival is filled with great events including an annual WVIHF 5k run, WVIHF Golf Tournament, and the annual pasta cook-off.
Each year the festival pays special tribute to outstanding Italian Americans by making public awards and recognitions.