CELEBRATION BEGINS — Santa celebrates with children in attendance after flipping the switch to begin Oglebay Park’s 39th Festival of Lights. The holiday light extravaganza will run nightly through Jan. 7. -- Derek Redd

WHEELING — The Christmas lights are now on at Oglebay Park, ushering in the official start to the 2023 holiday season in the Ohio Valley.

Santa Claus flipped the switch Thursday night to begin Oglebay’s 39th Festival of Lights season. The first was in 1985.

Claus was joined at the switch by Jeff Jackson, president and CEO of festival sponsor WesBanco.

The lights will shine each night from dusk to midnight through Jan. 7.

Bob Peckenaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission, highlighted what visitors to the park will see as part of the Festival of Lights.

New this year is the winter carnival near the Levenson Shelter. There’s an acrylic ice rink, a small train ride and decorated trees there. A climbing wall, carnival food and fire pit can also be found at the spot.

The Schenk Lake Reflections display added last year has been updated for 2023, Peckenpaugh continued. The music has been reprogrammed, and more dancing candy canes have been added.

And at the entrance to the park leading to Wilson Lodge there is also something new — colored orbs in different shapes that create a dance.

“It’s Oglebay,” Peckenpaugh continued. “It’s our time of year. It’s a special time for staff. As much work as there is, the staff really lights up at this time.”

He acknowledged the Festival of Lights “fills a deep void in November and December” at the park when normally few people might be visiting. That was the intention of former Wheeling Park Commission President and CEO Randy Worls when he and his team started the event in 1985, according to Peckenpaugh.

And the park is now looking at how best to stay relevant as it moves into the future.

The park was awarded $6.6 million in 2022 under the American Rescue Plan from the U.S. Department of Commerce through its Economic Development Administration. As a result, Wilson Lodge saw some major renovations in early 2023, and Peckenpaugh indicated more upgrades are in store for 2024. These will start after the Festival of Lights ends in January.

“That and some donations from some wonderful people are going to allow us to change the entire arrival experience at the lodge,” he explained.

An extended roof is being added at the front of Wilson Lodge, and the ground near the entrance will be raised to make it compliant with the Americans with Disability Act.

In addition, the Ihlenfeld Dining Room, the Glassworks Grill and the Betty Zane Room will be renovated. There are plans to unveil a new restaurant in the spot, according to Peckenpaugh.

One of Oglebay’s former greenhouses also is going to be modernized and turned into a hydroponics farm next year.

“The goal is to grow all the greens used in the restaurant and banquet events we have,” Peckenpaugh added.

Eriks Janelsins, president of the Oglebay Foundation, said many have tried to duplicate Oglebay’s Festival of Lights.

“Most have failed because they don’t have the community that we have,” he said. “That’s the key to this event.”

He thanked the West Virginia Legislature, Gov. Jim Justice and state Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby for their support of the park.

Additionally, he credited “some 300,000 people” who make donations each year,” the local schools and the generosity of the business community for making the Festival of Lights successful for nearly 40 years.

“It takes everyone to make this event work,” Janelsins said.