ON THE PIPES – Betsy Bethel-McFarland shared some of her talents on the bagpipes, performing songs from both Scotland and Ireland. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Area residents were treated to a trip around the world Saturday.

Following a multi-year absence, the Festival of Nations made its return to Weirton, with hundreds gathering at the Millsop Community Center to sample a variety of foods, watch performers and learn the histories of some of the ethnic cultures represented within the community.

“It is a special day in the city we all love,” announced Dr. J.K. Luthra, chairman of the festival’s committee. “Today, we are all part of the melting pot of the USA.”

Luthra encouraged those in attendance to take time to leave the concerns and divisions of the day outside, and stand united, as a community, noting the importance of people coming together.

Organized under the auspices of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, the modern-day Festival of Nations was launched in 2009 in commemoration of the founding of Weirton Steel and the town of Weirton. It ran for 10 years, stopping as a result of the COVID pandemic.

FANS – Representatives of the Yanlai Dance Academy performed several dances based in Chinese culture. -- Craig Howell

Mayor Dean Harris was on hand to offer a welcome, thanking Luthra and all those involved in organizing the festival.

“The Festival of Nations celebrates the many nationalities represented in the city of Weirton,” Harris said, recalling the wave of immigration to the region with the rise of the steel industry, and the work of those families to establish themselves and build the community. “Today, we celebrate those nationalities and the many contributions to Weirton and the Ohio Valley.”

Harris recalled some of his own family’s roots, including his grandfather, who arrived from Wales in 1895 with only $7 in his pocket, coming through Ellis Island in New York, then moving to the Southside of Pittsburgh, and, eventually Steubenville.

Obtaining work at Follansbee Brothers Steel, he was able to establish a life for himself and start a family here.

Harris noted the challenges faced by many immigrants then, who learned to overcome their cultural and linguistic barriers, to build what would become the city of Weirton only a few decades later.

WELCOME – Dr. J.K. Luthra, left, festival committee chair, and Mayor Dean Harris welcomed those in attendance at the Festival of Nations Saturday. The festival was organized under the auspices of the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center. -- Craig Howell

The heritage and community spirit helped to inspire the original Festival of Nations, which was formed by the workers of Weirton Steel and ran from 1934 to 1944, featuring a parade of nations, songs and dances representing the cultural backgrounds of the people.

This year’s event featured performances from close to a dozen singers, musicians, and dance schools, including the Weir High Concert Band, Sanskruti School of Indian Dance and Music, Betsy Bethel-McFarland, Grecian Odyssey Dancers, Sheena Chopra, Yanlai Dance Academy, Ohio Valley Folk Society, Folkloric Dance Ensemble, the DiBacco Sisters, Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh, and Bob Gaudio.

Food was available for purchase, representing cuisines from the United States, Italy, African-American cultures, Russia, Greece, and India.

Luthra invited members of the festival committee onto the stage, offering his appreciation for their work, and promising the festival will be back next year.

“It would not be possible without the dedicated, fun-loving members of this committee,” he said.

A FEW TUNES - Lucia and Valentina DiBacco performed selections made famous by several Italian singers. -- Craig Howell

FROM BAVARIA – The Ohio Valley Folk Society, of Wheeling, showcased a variety of folk dances from Germany -- Craig Howell

OPA! – Members of the Grecian Odyssey Dancers got visitors to Saturday’s Festival of Nations into some of the fun, inviting them to learn some of the Greek dancing. -- Craig Howell

ON STAGE – The Sanskruti School of Indian Dance and Music was the first dance group to take the stage Saturday, performing dances based on the cultures of India. -- Craig Howell

MULTI-CULTURAL – The Folkloric Dance Ensemble, from Steubenville, took the stage twice Saturday, performing dances from both Italy and Israel. -- Craig Howell

CULTURE – Members of the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh performed several dances to share the culture of the Philippines. -- Craig Howell

SHARING TALENT – Weirton native Sheena Chopra sang for the crowd gathered at the Festival of Nations. -- Craig Howell

FIRST ACT – The Weir High School Concert Band helped to get things started Saturday, taking the stage to perform several selections to represent the United States as part of the Festival of Nations. -- Craig Howell

SHARING HERITAGE - Yvonne Tuchalski speaks with a visitor to Saturday’s Festival of Nations, sharing some of her family’s history. -- Craig Howell