WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3: ITALIAN FESTIVAL IN WEST VIRGINIA

Profile America -- Friday, September 3rd. The state of West Virginia usually conjures up thoughts of mountains, white water rafting and Blue Grass music. However, today is the start of the 32nd annual West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival in Clarksburg. During its three day run, this top-rated festival is expected to draw some 150,000 people to share Italian-themed contests, exhibitions, and displays, as well as professional entertainment, and of course, food. In the U.S., there are close to 18 million people who are of Italian ancestry, including nearly 70,000 who live in West Virginia. The state's total population is 1.8 million, ranking it 37th among the states. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2010, p. 445

The National Italian American Foundation

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2010, t. 52, 12, 13

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau