May 8, 2025 - Since its inception in 1941, the Old King Coal Festival held in downtown West Frankfort, Illinois has honored the region’s coal miners and their contributions to the community. The deep-rooted celebration kicks off Thursday and runs through Sunday.

The festival is embarking on its 84th year, which opens on Thursday and runs through Sunday. Marcia Raubach, president of the Old King Cole Festival Committee, said the event brings to the area four days of celebration, remembrance and family fun.

“This area is a coal mining area,” she said. “Even though there aren’t as many mines now, we want to keep that tradition and history alive.”

The tradition began when coal mining was a big part of life in the region. While there are fewer mines today, Raubach said the impact of coal is still felt, and the community keeps that legacy alive each spring.

“So many people in this region either worked in the mines or had family who did. It’s part of who we are,” she said.

Raubach said the festival is about more than just celebration. It’s about education and connection.

She pointed to the 1951 Orient No. 2 mine explosion, which claimed 119 lives just days before Christmas, as a tragic but defining part of local history.

“They called it Black Christmas,” she said. “Almost every family in the area was affected. Days and days of funerals. It’s something people around here don’t forget.”

That history is displayed on the bricks at Coal Miners Memorial Park in downtown West Frankfort. A ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday to honor miners past and present.

Families can still purchase memorial bricks, which now line many of the park’s walkways and feature the names of miners nationwide.

Saturday’s schedule includes the Old King Coal 5K Run/Walk, beginning at 8 a.m. at Frankfort Community Park. The race allows participants to honor or memorialize coal miners by wearing their names on the official event T-shirt.

“We’ve had a lot of young people sign up in memory of a grandfather or even a father who still works in the mines,” Raubach said.

Proceeds from the race benefit the Coal Miners Room at the Frankfort Area Historical Museum.

The annual parade begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, with a lineup starting at 1 p.m. behind West Frankfort House Furnishings.

It follows a route along Ida and Lincoln Streets and will include floats, music, and appearances by the festival’s royalty.

John Smith, a retired mine safety inspector from West Frankfort, was named 2025 Old King Coal. Smith started in the mines in 1972, working 22 years underground before transitioning into mine rescue and inspection work.

He retired in 2018 after 46 years in the industry. His father was among those killed in the Orient No. 2 disaster, making this year’s honor especially meaningful.

The 2025 Princess Flame is Raylee Carroll, a 22-year-old Du Quoin native and Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduate.

Carroll earned her degree in elementary education and was a member of the Saluki Shakers Dance Team. She hopes to use her platform to promote community service and support foster children.

Visitors can enjoy a full slate of carnival rides, food vendors, games and live music on the main stage — including a headlining band from Texas playing 70s rock hits Saturday night.

Thursday through Saturday nights feature free performances, continuing a tradition Raubach says has helped the event evolve.

“Some parts of the festival haven’t changed in decades, like naming Old King Coal and Princess Flame, but we’ve added things to draw in younger people, too,” she said. “There’s something for everyone.”

This year, the festival has added “Sunday Morning Worship at Old King Coal,” a community church service at 10 a.m. Sunday on its main stage.

Raubach said the balance of fun and remembrance makes the festival so meaningful.

“We want people to have a good time, but we also want them to remember what coal mining has meant to this area. It’s what built this town,” she said

Visit oldkingcoalfestival.com for a complete schedule and more information, including how to register for events or purchase memorial bricks.