Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival

Welcome to the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Official Website. The KMLF President Mr. Joe Smith along with the Chairman Mr. Robert Roan and Co-Chairman Mr. Tuck Woolum thank you for visiting Pineville for this great weekend.   The theme was "Better than Ever" and those who worked in the festival and those who enjoyed that hard work left this weekend "Better than Ever." We are looking forward and already planning the 2014 KMLF.  Our dates are May 22, 2014 thru May 25, 2014.  Make your reservations now!

Below is a photo of the newly crowned queen & princess.

Kentucky Mountain Laurel Queen Madison Elizabeth McCowan (University of Kentucky)

Kentucky Mountain Laurel Princess Taylor Blake Grigsby (Middlesboro High School)

 

 

The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is one of Kentucky's oldest festivals, finding its start in 1931, when Mrs. Annie Walker Burns established the festival as a way to honor her famous ancestor, Dr. Thomas Walker, a pioneer explore. Since that time, the devotion and hospitality of so many, along with the resonant history of the festival, have enabled this beautiful event to thrive for eighty years.

We think you'll enjoy our quaint and historic town nestled in the Appalachian foothills of Bell County, Kentucky where Southern hospitality reigns throughout. The festival features many events including a Queen's Coronation. Many Queens have been celebrated in song, verse and festival for centuries, it's only suitable that our time honored festival garland a Queen with our native Mountain Laurel. We open our homes to these accomplished and lovely young Queen Candidates, selected by and to represent their Kentucky College or University in the annual pageant. During the Coronation, held at an exquisite outdoor amphitheater near the close of the weekend, each Queen curtseys to the Governor of Kentucky- and in turn he crowns the winning Queen.

We are certain that as you browse this site, you will be more encouraged to join us as we celebrate the 83rd Annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. All KMLF events are family oriented; many are free and open to the public; those requiring tickets are reasonably priced. For more information contact us the KMLF office at (606) 337-6103. Information is also available through the Bell County Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-988-1075 or (606) 248-1075.  Find us on FaceBook & Twitter.