After a few rough years, Carmichaels’ annual PA Bituminous Coal Show is on the right track for getting back to its pre-pandemic standards. The coal show’s first year back, 2022, had limited activities on the carnival grounds. This year the carnival is here – along with a retuning favorite that hits just the right nostalgia note.
“It was difficult [to come back from the pandemic]. Most of the carnivals were not operating for a couple years, and they couldn’t get insurance because of not operating those years. That was a difficulty. With fuel costs, we had to postpone the parade for one year. A lot of fire companies wouldn’t come because of fuel costs. So, we operated pretty bare bones,” says King Coal Association President Ed Chess.
While the coal show struggled with entertainment over the years, the organizers tried to create a couple of opportunities for new things at the event. They had a dance review with some local dance schools, and the Carmichaels High School, under the direction of Cassie Menhart, brought over its esports set up. “We tried to fill it some activities to keep it busy.”
This year, get ready for a barrel of fun. A favorite of years past, the water barrel competition brings local fire departments to compete in pushing a suspended water barrel with fire hoses. Advanced Masonry stepped up to sponsor the event. “We were approached by people, people saying what they missed. And that was one of the things that kept coming up.”
There will also be fireworks on Saturday night to wrap up the festivities. The fireworks will be set off at the school (and school grounds will be closed that evening). You can catch the fireworks from the carnival grounds and other nearby locations.
“We’re getting back to normalcy with it. People are going to be happy with the coal show back to almost one hundred percent normalcy. And we’re always open to suggestions. If there’s anything people are nostalgic for or would be interested to adding to the coal show next year, we’re happy to entertain those ideas.”
And it’s all thanks to the dedicated officers and board members of the King Coal Association, and its supporters.
“We have a really good committee of dedicated volunteers,” Ed says. “Craig Bailey usually handles the carnival, Mike Riggen mans the kitchen, and Justin Newman runs the parade and the golf outing. Katlyn Fox, Lisa Allison, and the Coal Queen committee manage the pageant. Members of the Lions Club man the drinks station at the carnival and run the car show. And the Carmichaels Chamber is very involved.”
“We’ve had a lot of great support from the Township Supervisors. They kicked in money to help with band costs and fireworks.”
Sponsorships for the event are always welcome. If you’re looking to volunteer, organizers will gladly find a place where you can help – bingo, the kitchen, the carnival grounds, or with the bounce houses. If you are interested in having a table at the exhibit hall, please contact Ed Chess at 412-638-2188.
The King Coal Association was formed in 1953, and the Annual PA Bituminous Coal Festival has been happening in Carmichaels since 1954. The festival began with only a parade, coal mining demonstrations and dedications, and the Coal Queen pageant over four days. Over nearly 70 years, the show has evolved, and many components were added to the entertainment and exhibit schedule, including water barrel battles, pet and bike parades, a golf outing, 5k races, swap meet and more. The history and legacy of the miners that helped create this town and this country live on through this festival and the dedicated volunteers and patrons that make it possible.
