Old King Coal Festival celebrates 80th anniversary

FRANKLIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS (WSIL) -- The Old King Coal Festival is returning to West Frankfort after having to be canceled last year due to COVID-19.

This year, will mark 80 years since the town first held the festival in 1941 as a way to pay respect to past and present coal miners, and what the industry did for the region.

Steve Sawalich, President of the Old King Coal festival, says although the country is starting to lean on other sources of energy, the reason for the celebration still stands today.

"At one time, there was eight coal mines in the city of West Frankfort and now there's none ," explains Sawalich, who was once a coal minter himself. "It's a dying breed unfortunately, but you're always going to have a need for that coal. Coal is what keeps the lights on."

Those who come out to the four-day event can enjoy fair food, rides and LIVE music. There will also be a ceremony for coal miners.

Prior to the festival, locals for Old King Coal and Princess Flame were selected. This year, Jerry Harkins and Julia Mohr take the crown.

Harkins started working the mines in 1964 as a 24 year old trying to support his young family. He knew it would be hard work, but good pay with benefits.

"Probably one of the worst mines around," he remembers. "It had a lot of bad conditions."

Harkins stuck it out there for several years before moving to another mine and getting promoted. He eventually made his way to Old Ben #21 as a part of the rescue team and holding a managerial position.

"I really enjoyed being an underground safety inspector and on the rescue team," Harkins recalls. "I was on an elite group, I thought."

He feels privileged to join the list of men who have earned the Old King Coal title.

"A lot of the guys, I knew them. Some of them are still alive. Some of them are gone," Harkins says. "But a fine bunch of coal miners, they really are. And I'm proud to be in that group. I feel blessed. I really do."

While Princess Flame is busy making a positive impact in the community.

"I am a current senior at Herrin High School. I am a member of National Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America, Future Business Leaders Of America, Student Government. I am now a Certified Nursing Assistant. I work at Joyce’s Boutique and the Pageant Room and Yellow Brick Road Learning Adventures as a Teacher’s assistant! I absolutely love my jobs! " - Julia Mohr

The kicks off on Thursday, May 13 at 5 p.m.

The full schedule is here below: