It began in 1988.

It didn’t happen in some years.

But the Monongahfest was up and running in high gear in 2017.

It’s not just the parade, the music, the food, the 5K Rails to Trails race, the games, the car show. It’s a reunion with friends, much like the Monongah High Alumni Reunion, but outdoors with a larger crowd that includes so many Lions alumni that it feels like a Monongah High alumni reunion.

Just ask some of the people who attended August 18-20.

Mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975:

“Big crowd and a lot of good food.”

Richie Basagic chimed in:

“It was nice to see a lot of friends that I grew up with, and listening to the band Jenny Won't Sing and the fireworks were awesome! Thanks, Monongahfest committee!”

Singer Whitney O’Dell, a North Marion and Fairmont State grad who lives in Bingamon with husband Dana O’Dell, drew a lot of praise, too.

Monongah Councilman Johnboy Palmer, Class of 1974, kicked in with a cheerful look at the future:

“You know what this means. Only 365 days until Monongahfest!!”

Already looking forward to a bigger and better Monongahfest in 2018.

Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972, living in Fairmont with husband Brian Evans, expressed it poignantly:

“Several members of my family were there, but my mom, who is 89 years young, had the most
fun! Thank u to all who worked so hard, and also to all the wonderful friends, old and new, for the perfect evening. Just had to commend all the hard work of the Monongahfest Committee; truly amazing, and a job well done once again.”

Patti’s mother is the incredible Tina “Peaches” Aldridge DeMary, Class of 1945, who with husband Frank DeMary ran DeMary Grocery in Monongah at the end of the Brookdale Bridge. 

Rhonda Serra, a Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania college grad from Bessemer, Pennsylvania who lives in Fairmont with husband Bill Serra, echoed similar sentiments:

“Great to catch up with friends and family. I love the festival.”

Amanda Morgan, from Cleveland, Tennessee and married to Larry Morgan, touched on a West Virginia tradition:

“The pepperoni rolls in the town hall were wonderful.”

Pepperoni rolls were born in Fairmont at the Country Club Bakery, emulating Italian coal miners who took a loaf of bread and a stick of pepperoni into their underground workplace for substenance. They are the official food of West Virginia.

Amber Morgan won the 50/50 drawing at the Monongahfest.

The raffles for Jenny Shaver will be drawn September 16.

Susan Staron Sanders wrote: “Please post that we need donations.”

Monongahfest president Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, First Lady of Monongah as Greg’s wife, has been there from Day One.

 

So has Monongahfest treasurer Patty Steel McCombs, a Fairmont East grad married to Monongah water expert Bill McCombs, Class of 1969.

Everyone who attended can’t wait till the 2018 Monongahfest.