var username = "info"; A Festival organized by Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. Each year since 1931, the participating candidates attend the festival, held in Pineville, Ky. During the coronation ceremony, each candidate is expected to perform an original and elaborate 15 second curtsey to the current Kentucky governor, who later crowns the queen. Each year the candidates for queen are tasked with creating a unique personal curtsy to perform during the pageant. If you had come to the amphitheater on Pine Mountain on Memorial Day weekend a year ago you would have found something missing. FNdocumentWrite("") With restrictions loosened, all the traditions, and people, returned in full bloom this past weekend in Pineville. Bell Co. Gymnasium & Downtown Courthouse Square The pageant will begin at 7 p.m. There is no admission fee but donations are accepted. Each May, colleges and universities from Kentucky select one representative to participate in the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival which is held over Memorial Day weekend. Were communicating with everyone to let them know what their role will be, if any, as of right now. Many events are free. London - Laurel County As far as we have been able to ascertain, the Festival is the oldest continuous event of its kind in the United States. Each university in the Commonwealth is invited to send a representative to the annual festival. The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is one of Kentucky's oldest festivals, finding its start in 1931, when Mrs. Annie Walker Burns established the festival as a way to honor her famous ancestor, Dr. Thomas Walker, a pioneer explore. The coronation pageant began in 1931 as a tribute to Dr. Thomas Walker, the first European to enter Kentucky and who, along with a party of explorers, visited the present site of Pineville in 1750. The park opened in 1924 making this Kentucky's first state Park. Rain showers early will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. > He said the board has been working with Bell County Health Department Director Teresa Hunter to develop alternative plans so that the festival can move forward. We had a tornado alert [Thursday] night, so we were able to make it through that so if we can make it through a tornado alert like on Thursday, the opening of it, its all downhill from here, its fine, said Rebecca Shelby, Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Director. May 31, 2021 1:09 PM. The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival started in 1931 which causes it to be one of Kentucky's oldest festivals in the state of Kentucky. Festival Contestant, Greenville Leader News, Feb. 29, 1984, Melodye Hughes This years festival signaled another step in returning to a pre-pandemic state of society for many. The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair has become the largest event in Habersham County, drawing more than 20,000 fairgoers annually. Generally cloudy. Chance of rain 90%. Low 52F. > It has been held annually except for six years during World War II since 1931. Its going to look different but we are committed to keeping the tradition of the festival and the prestige of the festival in tact, even during a pandemic, Roan said. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Pine Mountain State Resort Park will be hosting a job fair on Feb. 10. Latest News The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival blooms again. Contact Us. Jane Goodin, Representative Discusses Pageant, College Heights Herald, May 3, 1979 Being in this cove, it really feels normal again and I cant tell you how good normal feels, General Chairman Jacob Roan said. The 2019 Queen Lauren Bohls coronation at the Laurel Cove Amphitheater at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. AmeriFest Studios 830 Eastern Bypass Richmond, KY 40475 To inquire about booking the studio for coaching, meetings, pageants or events please contact 859-625-8490. High 66F. Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. the coronation of the 2015 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen will be at the Deane Center's Coolidge Theatre. Thu 8am10pm, Fri 8am12 midnight, Sat 8am12 midnight, Sun 8am12pm, concert, gala parade, carnival, beauty pageants, craft & food vendors. We hope to see you this fall! A South Laurel student will be participating in the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Princess pageant. Savannah Lee Slusher (seated) is from Middlesboro and she won the coveted title of Princess. Please keep visiting this site to see more pageants as we regularly update when new ones are scheduled. Beshear and his administration at . Time: Registration 3pm and Pageant Starts 4pm Location: London Laurel County Optimist Club . Only twice have events halted Kentuckys second oldest festival WWII and the COVID pandemic. var linktext = username + "@" + hostname; Its exciting to see the community come together.. PINEVILLE, Ky. (May 29, . Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. PHOTOS. Copyright 2022 WYMT. Tickets for the coronation ceremony are available at the . Bristow Senior Receives Mountain Laurel Honors, Glasgow Daily Times, Feb. 27, 1981, Donna Bristow Reserved seats $1 additional. We have everything for everybody of all ages, said Shelby. marketplace | privacypolicy | contactus, Event promoter has not updated for this year, last year's event was May 25 - 29, 2022, Bell Co. Gymnasium & Downtown Courthouse Square. Couple or Stag 915, spectators adults 92 . TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Enter the email address you used when you joined. You have over 1,000 people crammed into a gymnasium for a concert and we all know thats not going to be possible this May. The first Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival was presented in 1931 at the suggestion of Ms. Annie Walker Burns. Smith representing South Laurel in Mountain Laurel Festival pageant, Mullins wins KY S3DA Top Gun Shooter of the Yea, SENTINEL ECHO CELEBRATES 150TH YEAR: Continuing, Cameron brings gubernatorial campaign to London, Tourism commissions gearing up for Redbud Ride, Golden Corral returning to London in March, London man to serve 30 years for rape of child, BOYS 49TH DISTRICT: Sheppard leads Jaguars to championship during record-breaking night, Reed Sheppard breaks 13th Region boys all-time scoring record, 13TH REGION: Davidson's clutch 3-pointer sends Jaguars to semifinals, 55-52, 13TH REGION BOYS TOURNAMENT: Schedule, preview, predictions, stats, rankings and more. One of the many long-established events put on pause by the coronavirus pandemic. Last year was weird, not having the festival and it being a part of my life for the past 21 years., When asked to describe the festival, the 2019 queen Lauren Bohl said One word, tradition. September 2023- Miss Spoonbread Festival and Miss Berea Location: Berea Community Gym. Since then, the hospitality of so many, along with the resonant history of the festival . BELL COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - A joy-filled afternoon in Pineville was highlighted by the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queens Coronation with a visit from a familiar face. This years festival signaled another step in returning to a pre-pandemic state of society for many. Pineville, Subscribers may view the full text of this article in its original form through TimesMachine. High 63F. This is a special day: Gov. KY Carey Elizabeth Smith, the daughter of Jerry and Wendy Smith, is a senior at South Laurel High School. Masks will be required at most events, he said. Festival organizers said the biggest hurdle to overcome this weekend is the weather. Cherry to Represent WKU, Park City Daily News, March 21, 1993, Ellen Cherry This is a special day. Last years festival was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the local KMLF Advisory Board announced on Friday that the festival will be returning in 2021. For more information about the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival and the full schedule, visit https://www.kmlf.org/. Photos of Queen's Coronation at Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville. By Jamie H. Vaught Editor Reigning queen Hannah Isaacs (pictured) of the 2014 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival will be returning to Pineville for the Memorial Day weekend, participating in various activities at the 2015 KMLF. Williams in Mountain Laurel Festival, Park City Daily News, March 13, 1988, Elizabeth Williams, Home | Open for nine days each year, the fair features the Miss Chattahoochee Pageant . The Mountain Laurel Festival is deeply rooted in southern tradition, mountain heritage and held dear to all natives of Pineville. About | Many events are free. Admission: none Days/Hours Open: Thu 8am10pm, Fri 8am12 midnight, Sat 8am12 midnight, Sun 8am12pm Art in the Park blends games, art, and music into a daylong event that is sure to entertain everyone. The festival is in Pineville, May 27-29. Queen candidates are chosen from Kentucky colleges and universities. top of page. There will be a Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival this Memorial Day weekend. WKU Student Crowned Park City Daily News, May 28, 1984, Melodye Hughes Campbellsville native crowned queen of Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. If you had come to the amphitheater on Pine Mountain on Memorial Day weekend a year ago you would have found something missing. There will be 2 stages with National, Regional and Local talent and the hours will be Thu 8am-10pm, Fri 8am-12 midnight, Sat 8am-12 midnight, Sun 8am-12pm. The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival began in 1931 and will celebrate the 88th crowning of the Mountain Laurel Queen on Saturday, May 26, at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park. One of the many long-established events put on pause by the coronavirus pandemic. While the current global pandemic made it necessary to cancel the festival this year, that doesn't mean we shouldn't take time to recognize what Kristy accomplished in the year 2000. If you like food and shopping, we have that. Click here for details. Louisville-based Brown-Forman owns Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. 2021 Kentucky Pageants/ Kentucky Festival Pageants/ Dianne Turner/ Courtney McCubbin - All images courtesy of, Authentic American Beauties Winter Wonderland, Garrard County Rural Heritage Tobacco Festival. During the . You have permission to edit this article. Below you will find a list of all the official Kentucky Festival Pageant preliminaries! NEWS. I dont think there is a better example of getting back to normal than getting to resume one of Kentuckys oldest festivals where we celebrate time-honored traditions and things that are so unique to us as Kentuckians, Gov. > Laurel Hill Bluegrass Festival Laurel Hill State Park (H-10) Somerset, PA 15501 814-445-7725 friendsoflhsp.org June 27-28 12th Annual Braddock's Crossing of the Yough The festival has no shortage of unique, long-standing traditions: passing down the scepter and cape, picking the mountain laurel flowers that make the queens crown the morning of coronation and throwing the escort of the new queen into the reflecting pool. var hostname = "FestivalNet.com"; She was Valedictorian of her class, was voted Miss Coal Bowl 2021, was a 2022 . Mountain Laurel Festival, College Heights Herald, March 23, 1978 Only twice have events halted Kentuckys second oldest festival WWII and the COVID pandemic. The official facebook page of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. Ring in the New Year with Ballistix- 1/14/23, Miss/Mr. The crowning of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen selected from representatives from all colleges and universities in Kentucky. Elegant Supremes Lake Cumberland Sweeties. Western's Queen Candidate Busy Preparing for Trip, Park City Daily News, April 30, 1964, Sandra Stuart October 2023- Miss Fall Fest and Miss Tri-County, November 10-12 2023- Kentucky State Finals, Events Produced by Kentucky Festival Pageant Association, August 2023- Miss Richmond, Miss Madison County, Miss Bourbon Jam, September 2023- Miss Spoonbread Festival and Miss Berea. It was built in the early 1950s and stands in the center of the city. Laurel Cove Amphitheater. Colleges and universities from Kentucky select one representative to participate in the festival's pageant which is held annually over Memorial Day weekend. Jacee is the 18 year old daughter of Jim and Misty Rouse. Were focused on every event that would normally take place during the festival weekend and making sure that we have created a plan that would allow those events to operate within the parameters of the guidelines through the Bell County Health Department, the CDC and the state, Roan said. Some of our favorite shots at Queen's Coronation Pageant in 2017 Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival . Mountain Laurel Festival Makes Splash, Louisville Courier-Journal, May 27, 1984, Melodye Hughes Summer 2021 concert guide: More than 100 shows in and around Central Kentucky, Whiskey fungus suit: Court orders county to halt Jack Daniels barrel warehouse, New faces joining WKYT, The CW Lexington at anchor, weather desks, Lexington police officer arrested, charged with abusing a child, Man charged in murders of Kentucky police officers kills himself in jail, officials say, Senior living home says its Super Bowl show was better than Rihannas. The crowning of the. Pineville High school gymnasium. My Account | Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival underway in Pineville, Weekday broadcast of WYMT Mountain News First at Four, Weekday broadcast of WYMT Mountain News at 6, Boys 13th Region Tournament sees all-Laurel County semifinal, 11 years later: Looking back on the March 2nd, 2012 EKY tornado outbreak, Isom IGA owner honored as WGA Woman of the Year. Andy Beshear crowns Queen at Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival, WYMT Mountain News Weekend Edition newscast at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Boys 13th Region Tournament sees all-Laurel County semifinal, 11 years later: Looking back on the March 2nd, 2012 EKY tornado outbreak, Isom IGA owner honored as WGA Woman of the Year. If you are in pageants, weve got two of those. London - Laurel County Tourist Commission 140 Faith Assembly Church Road London, Kentucky 40741 Phone | (606) 878-6900. Grand Ball in Honor of 1980 Kentucky Mountain Laurel festival Queen. Dunlop, R.G. The green cove deep in the heart of Appalachia would be empty, missing the large crowd that gathers annually to see who will be crowned the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen. View Full Article in Timesmachine , See the article in its original context from. The exact plans are not being shared yet because so much can change between now the end of May. Dianne Turner Kentucky Festival Pageants 859-625-8490 Western Coed Leaves Today for Pineville to Bestow Mountain Laurel Crown on Successor, Park City Daily News, May 26, 1960. An Eastern Kentucky tradition stretching back 90 years, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival has been held. Saturday morning will begin with the Gala Parade at 10 a.m. and the crowning of the 2021 KMLF Queen at the Laurel Cove Amphitheater at 2 p.m. More information on events can be viewed at http://kmlf.org. Low 57F. In 1933 the festival was moved to Pine Mountain State Park where it has been held annually except for World War II years 1942 to 1947. He also expressed his gratitude for the ability to hold in-person events again. The prestigious Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is billed as the oldest continuous event of its kind in the United States. More Information Read about other key updates, actions and information from Gov. Coronation of 1980 Kentucky Mountain Laurel festival Queen. One of the many long-established events put on pause by the coronavirus pandemic. That includes the annual spring meeting at Keeneland, which will be held via Zoom and the Little Miss KMLF Pageant. A South Laurel student will be participating in the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Princess pageant. Sign up now to get our FREE breaking news coverage delivered right to your inbox. Full text is unavailable for this digitized archive article. August 2023- Miss Richmond, Miss Madison County, Miss Bourbon Jam Location: Richmond Mall. Click here for details. WKU Royalty Join Festivalnet.com now to unlock additional details,