Oglebay’s Festival of Lights celebrates four decades of lighting up the Upper Ohio Valley and bringing innovation to the community. Over the years, the festival has grown from a small, local event to a dazzling showcase that attracts thousands of visitors every holiday season.
A Dazzling Start: New Attractions and Spectacles
The 40th celebration of the Festival of Lights kicked off with a custom drone show put together by Sky Elements, a group previously featured on America’s Got Talent. The festival has introduced several new events in recent years, including the second annual Twinkle Trot 5K, which saw 1,500 runners enjoying a unique view of the lights and the park after dark. Additionally, the Winter Carnival at the Levenson Shelter offers a range of fun attractions, including a synthetic ice skating rink, rock climbing, and wagon rides for young children.
Rodney Haley, the Executive Vice President at Oglebay Resort, reflects on the festival’s growth. “Each year we try to add something new to the show including the seven trees and several 40s around the park. Every year is a little different,” he explains. The festival continues to stay current by revisiting the displays, upgrading the technical aspects of the show, and researching new trends. “We go to a couple different technology shows and work with a couple companies to stay up on trends and move the show forward,” Haley adds.
Many Wheeling Park High School Cross Country runners participated in the 5K this year including these talented girls.
Honoring Tradition: The Festival’s Deep Community Roots
The Festival of Lights may have grown exponentially over the years, but its roots in the local community remain strong. One of the original contributors to the event’s success was Wheeling Park High School, which worked with Oglebay to build many of the original light displays. Mr. Lou Winters, a founding teacher of Wheeling Park’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program, led the welding department for 38 years and helped guide students in creating the displays that are still used today.
“In the beginning, Mr. Ruminski had connections with Oglebay and connected me with their design team,” Winters recalls. “We built all of the original light displays.” The project gave students a sense of pride and purpose, as they realized their work was not only technical but also contributed to the greater good of their community. Today, Wheeling Park High School continues to be involved, with students from the carpentry classes building birdhouses for the Festival of Trees in the Pine Room.
“Not only did Oglebay benefit from the students’ work, but they gave back to the students too,” says Winters. “Oglebay would host field trips, provide lunch, and celebrate the students’ achievements.” This spirit of community collaboration continues to thrive, even as the scale and scope of the festival has expanded.
A Heartfelt Contribution: Charity and Community Impact
The Festival of Lights is not only an artistic and technological marvel but also a major economic driver for the Ohio Valley region. Oglebay uses the festival as an opportunity to give back to the community, particularly through philanthropy. This year, the Festival of Trees was brought back, raising money for Wheeling Health Right. Visitors can both bid on and purchase beautifully decorated trees in the Pine Room, with proceeds supporting a vital local cause.
The Festival of Lights is a great example of how large-scale events can have a positive impact on local businesses and nonprofits. Oglebay’s commitment to giving back extends to the event’s vendors, where local artisans and small businesses are featured throughout the festival. Jenny Perks, Oglebay’s Director of Retail, has made it a priority to incorporate locally made products into the festival’s retail offerings. “I love to help local artists and small businesses,” says Perks. “We bring in products like honey, maple syrup, candles, and pottery to support the local economy.”
Keeping Tradition Alive: The Role of Local Radio
One of the constants throughout the history of the Festival of Lights has been the collaboration with WPHP-FM 91.9, the “Official Festival of Lights Information Station” since 1985. Mr. Patrick Clutter, who directed the initial partnership, is remembered for his role in establishing the station’s involvement. Today, Mrs. Caroline Dillon, a former student turned teacher, continues the legacy, taking pride in the tradition that started with her own volunteer work during high school.
“Students in our class volunteered our time after school and in the evenings to play holiday music and announce information about not only the Festival of Lights but also about Oglebay Park,” Dillon recalls. “Everything we announced on the radio was live, and the students couldn’t get enough of it.” While the music and light display information is now recorded using modern technology, the passion for sharing the magic of the festival remains just as strong.
Retail Revamp: Blending Local Artisanship with National Trends
The festival’s growth hasn’t just been about lights and displays; it’s also about embracing new experiences for visitors. This year, Oglebay has transformed the Farmhouse Sweets and Treats store into a kid-friendly candy shop with bulk candy, locally made fudge, Amish chocolates, and local ice cream from Kirke’s. “We’ve painted the front entrance and added some new touches,” says Perks. “After the holidays, we’ll continue to finish the rest of the shop.”
In addition to these new experiences, the festival’s retail shops are carefully curated with locally sourced products that support small businesses in the area. Perks is actively involved in selecting items and choosing themes for the shops, ensuring that the spirit of local craftsmanship is present throughout the event. “We start preparing for the Festival of Lights in January,” she says. “In Atlanta, we buy all the Christmas merchandise for all five of our retail shops for the next year.”
The integration of local products with large-scale festival entertainment exemplifies how Oglebay manages to blend national appeal with a commitment to the local community.
Looking Ahead: The Future of the Festival and Oglebay Park
As Oglebay celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Festival of Lights, the park’s leadership remains focused on continuous improvement. Rodney Haley sums it up: “We are always looking to improve. We are very proud to be here for 40 years with the festival, but also proud to be a park for our community over the last hundred years.” The ongoing evolution of the festival reflects both a celebration of the past and an exciting vision for the future. The Festival of Lights will continue to be a shining example of how tradition, innovation, and community can come together to create something truly special.
