Highlighting this year's Festival entertainment agenda, "Restless Heart," will be performing their signature hits including "I'll Still Be Loving You," "Why Does It Have to Be Right or Wrong," "That Rock Won't Roll," "Wheels," "The Bluest Eyes in Texas," and "Big Dreams in a Small Town."
Driven by the musical force which brought them together 25 years ago, "Restless Heart" continues to thrill old and new fans by doing what they do best, making great music and having fun. The legendary group has all five original band members Larry Stewart, Dave Innis, Paul Gregg. Greg Jennings and John Dittrich intact.
Playing a pop friendly brand of country-rock indebted to "The Eagles," "Restless Heart" was one of the most popular country bands of the late '80's and early '90's, scoring numerous hits on the country charts and several major successes on adult contemporary radio as well.
Madison is one of 95 stops on "Restless Heart"'s Silver Anniversary Tour, and only the second venue they will play in West Virginia in 2008.
Entertainment for the Friday (June 20) and Saturday (June 21) night shows will be announced in the very near future.
In addition to the major entertainers, the West Virginia Coal Festival also will feature local groups, both country and gospel, along with the popular mine machinery displays, arts and crafts, miners memorial service, food vendors, a beauty pageant, parade, carnival, and a gala fireworks display.
Larry V. Lodato, WV Coal Festival publicist, said thousands of people have flocked to Madison over the last 14 years for the Festival, which provides a big boost to the local economy during its five-day run. In 2005, the WV Coal Festival was named one of the "Best Kept Local Secrets" by Travelocity.com.
WV Coal Festival President Joy Underwood announced that the opening ceremonies will be held at 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. The Miner's Memorial Service will begin at 6:30 p.m. Both activities will be held on the front steps of the Boone County Courthouse.
The popular Mine Machinery Equipment displays, will be available for the public to view from 6:00 p.m. Wednesday (June 18) until the Festival concludes Saturday night (June 21), again will be held on the large lot across from the Courthouse, James "Jimbo" Clendenen, coordinator, said he expects another good turnout of vendors. Last year, there were 25 companies from seven states who showed off the latest technology in the coal mining industry. Clendenen said the vendors always anticipate a great time in Madison the entire week since this is the only venue in the state where coal machinery operators can display their machinery on an annual basis.
"Many of the representatives bring their families to show off the machines they work on and make a living and are certainly quite proud of them," Clendenen pointed out.
Delores W. Cook, festival vice president, said the Coal Heritage Museum, will observe special hours during the festival, and eight new display cases will be ready for the public to see when the Festival begins. She also expressed her appreciation to the many people who have volunteered their time and efforts over the years to make the Festival so successful.
The Grand Parade will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21. The fireworks display will again be sponsored by Hobet Mining, LLC, and Gambill Amusements will be providing the Carnival again this year. At 8:00 a.m. Saturday, June 21, the "Bobby Hampton Memorial....Running in Coal Country" Event will be held. Proceeds from the 5K walk/run, 11-mile run and Kids races will go toward cancer research. The events will start and at Scott High in West Madison and will be co-sponsored by Chad Pennington's "First and Ten Foundation.
Major financial sponsors for this year's Festival include the Boone County Commission; West Virginia Legislature (Fairs and Festivals Grant Program); Hobet Mining, LLC; Patriot Coal Corp.; Coal River Energy, LLC; the Boone County Community, Economic Development and Tourism Office, the United Mine Workers of America, and Jim and Lisa Beck.
Committee members expressed their appreciation to the Boone County Commissioners for their financial support, providing funding from Coal Severance Funds, and for allowing the Planning Committee to utilize the parking lot across from the courthouse for the mine machinery displays.
The WV Coal Festival Planning Committee also said they appreciate Madison Mayor H.H. "Sonny Howell, Maintenance Superintendent Roger Weaver, and City Council members for all their support.
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