Jun 25, 2015 3 min read

Before 1885, thousands of couples from West Virginia, Ohio and other states eloped to Pennsylvania, eager to be wed in a state that did not require a marriage license.

Due to its close proximity to the state line, the Village of West Alexander soon gained a reputation as a “Gretna Green” along the old National Road. The term Gretna Green was a place of clandestine weddings in Scotland.

Gretna Green will return to the community when a daylong Three Ridges Fourth of July Festival will be held at the West Alexander Fairgrounds. Among the highlights will be a wedding vow renewal service at noon. Special music during the wedding will be performed by Upscale Strings, Pittsburgh.

Donegal Township Supervisor Doug Teagarden said the community was looking for a couple to get married that day, but none could be found.

Before the 20th century, justices of the peace became famous as the “Marrying Squires.” They and village ministers performed an estimated 7,000 marriages until Pennsylvania joined its neighbors in requiring marriage licenses.

Squire Joseph F. Mayes is credited with marrying more than 2,031 couples as of July 23, 1882. His father, Squire Issac Mayes, married 930 couples. Their ledger shows that the largest fee the younger Mayes was paid was $20 and the smallest was 90 cents. A good many of the couples paid nothing at all.

West Alexander once had the name of “Three Ridges,” Teagarden said, before its formation as a village and incorporation as a borough in 1783. The newly created borough was carved out of Donegal Township at that time, but was returned when the two municipalities merged following the Nov. 4, 2008, election.

The Fourth of July celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m., with a flag-raising. A service of patriotic songs and hymns will begin at 11 a.m. Couples wishing to exchange or renew their wedding vows will be able to register until 11:30 a.m.

Music under the show tent begins at 1 p.m. with Lonesome Ornery and Mean, followed by Cross Creek at 4 p.m. and the Joseph Sisters at 7 p.m. A fireworks display will begin at 10 p.m.

A “Newlywed or Oldlywed” game show will be held at 6 p.m. under the large show tent. Local ministers and other dignitaries have been invited to participate.

There will be a classic and antique car cruise, as well as a motorcycle run and tractor poker run at 11:15. Food will be available for purchase. Advance tickets for a steak fry are available by calling 724-484-7919.

There also will be old-fashioned family games, a bounce house and “Mountain Men” displays and demonstrations throughout the day. A historical display will be set up in the exhibit hall.

Admission to the festival is free. The township is co-sponsoring the event with the West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company.