Annual Coal Show continues in Carmichaels
CARMICHAELS — The 58th Pennsylvania Bituminous Coal Festival continues today, showcasing once again why “Coal is King” in Greene County.
?The annual event, sponsored and coordinated by the King Coal Association, features a wide array of activities, contests, exhibits and rides. This year’s Coal Show features the theme of “Greene County PA — Fueling America.”
Today, mine rescue teams will take part in the Pennsylvania Bituminous Safety Association Northern Mine Rescue Contest, beginning at 8 a.m. at Carmichaels Area High School football stadium.
The teams will also participate in the Pennsylvania Bituminous Safety Association Bench, Pre-Shift and Northern Technician Competitions and the Northern Mine First Aid Competition; these will be held on Thursday at 8 a.m. in the Carmichaels Elementary School gymnasium. Admission is free for all the mining-related competitions.
Today will also feature exhibits, entertainment, contests and the carnival, as well as the 45th annual Children’s Pet Parade. Sponsored by the Carmichaels branch of PNC Bank, the parade will line up at 5:30 p.m. at the Yoskovich Funeral Home parking lot.
Thursday will also feature exhibits and contests, as well as the 40th annual Bill Gideon Decorated Bicycle Parade, also sponsored by the Carmichaels branch of PNC Bank, will line up at 5:30 p.m. at the Yoskovich Funeral Home parking lot. Also on Thursday, DJ Dave Plavi will perform on the carnival grounds from 7 to 10 p.m.
Friday’s events will include exhibits and contests, as well as a music performance from the band “Girlz in Black Hats” on the fire hall grounds from 7 to 10 p.m. This free event is sponsored by Gerome Manufacturing and Blue Mountain Equipment Rental. Also, winners will be announced on Friday at 8 p.m. for the King Coal Prince/Princess and Old King Coal contests.
The Coal Show will conclude on Saturday with several events, including a car show, car parade, and the annual King Coal Parade.
The 58th annual King Coal Charles Workman Car Show will be held at Wana B Park from 12:30 to 3 p.m., with registration starting at 10 a.m. Registration is $8. Admission is free for spectators.
The car show is sponsored by Alpha Natural Resources.
The 58th Charles Workman Memorial Car Parade will begin at 3:50 p.m. and will be followed by the King Coal Parade at 4 p.m.
The carnival will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. and a dance for junior and senior high school students in the fire hall will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. The dance is sponsored by Communities That Care.
And all throughout the week of the Coal Show, bingo, coal souvenirs, hot foods and baked goods will be offered in the fire hall.
Sunday evening signaled the end of the reign of the 2010-11 Coal Queen, Annie Caccimielio of Chalk Hill, and the start of the reign of Victoria Bucktan of Carmichaels as the annual Coal Queen Pageant was held at the Carmichaels Area High School.
Festival volunteer Linda Rush, who has been involved with the Coal Show for more than 30 years, said she hopes people come to the festival to support the event. She also said she believes that the Coal Show is a celebration of coal’s past, present and future in the area.
“The Coal Show is special because it pays tribute to the coal mine families of yesterday, today and tomorrow,” she said. “It not only recognizes the history and importance of coal in Greene County, it celebrates the fact that coal is still very important to this area…and, it hopefully will help those who attend realize that those people who work in the mining industry deserve much respect.”
For general information, call Rush at 724-966-5426 or visit www.kingcoalshow.com.