For years, the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival and the festival’s Pasta Cook-Off have been celebrating the Italian-American traditions and culture that thrive in North Central West Virginia.

The Pasta Cook-Off, set for Aug. 26 this year, allows both amateur and professional cooks to compete, said Tyler Terango, president of the festival board. “It’s really a nice event — some people say it’s their favorite,” Terango said. “It has a smaller feeling. People can walk around and can taste the different pastas.”