King Coal Association begins planning for 50th Coal Show
CARMICHAELS – Before the 49th Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Show was held in Carmichaels in August, the King Coal Association already was planning the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Coal Show in 2003. The 50th Coal Show is set for Aug. 16-23, and the theme is “King Coal – Golden Memories.”
The KCA met Thursday, and President Mike Riggen heard committee reports to tie up loose ends from the 49th show. The directors approved a $100 donation to Carmichaels Area Band Boosters for the Haunted House project and $100 to the Cumberland Township Parks and Recreation Board for Wana B Park playground equipment.
Brice and Linda Rush, representing the KCA, attended the Oct. 4 dedication of the Mammoth mine disaster memorial for the 1891 disaster, which killed 109. The KCA was given a plaque featuring coal from the Mammoth mine.
Riggen appointed Craig Baily, Debbie Gideon and Bill Humbert to present a list of officers for nomination and election at the Nov. 14 meeting.
Brice Rush and Sandy Bruce are chairing the project to publish a hardback book for the 50th celebration. It will feature the 50 Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Queens, their autobiographies, the candidates each year from their respective schools and other pertinent information.
Rush is seeking articles of historical significance for inclusion in the book.
He suggested articles on builders of the early floats, King Coal Little League games, Coal Bowl football games, early mine machine exhibits, early parades and memories from anyone with an interesting story to tell about some of the early shows.
The book will contain selected programs and photographs from the first shows. Anyone interested in submitting articles should send them to the King Coal Association, Box 275, Carmichaels, Pa. 15320, attention Brice Rush.