September 18, 2023 - The sounds of jazz filled the nighttime air during an outdoor dinner on Second Avenue Sept 14. The King Coal Festival award dinner kicked off the weekend of events in the city.

The attendees included the award recipients, their friends and families, city officials and King Coal Festival Coordinators.

A menu of pinto beans, cornbread, fried potatoes, collard greens, cake and drinks were available to all guests.

The King Coal Awards Banquet on Second Ave. September 14, 2023 in Williamson, WV. 

Photo: Josh Brown, Williamson Daily News

Each of the winners were announced to the invited guests and awarded a certificate later in the night.

June Glover was recognized as the Grand Marshall for the 50th Annual King Coal Festival.

Gary Dove was recognized as this year’s Mr. King Coal.

Rick Wilkerson and Juanita Hooks were awarded the Community Service awards.

Previous festival coordinators were also given a Recognition and Appreciation award. Mae Stallard, the 1st and longest running festival coordinator from 1973-2013, Jada Hunter for 2014-2021, and Tonya Webb for 2022.

Fallen officer Sgt. Corey Maynard was awarded the Humanitarian Award posthumously.

On Saturday, during the awards ceremony the honorees received a plaque.