NOLA SIZEMORE/Harlan Daily Enterprise Cleon Cornett (left) was appointed as a new member to the Cumberland Tourist and Convention Commission recently. Lynn Cox (from left), April Leisge and Chairman Scott Sherman were re-appointed.

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By Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

Cumberland Mayor Carl Hatfield attended a recent meeting of the Cumberland Tourist and Convention Commission where he gave the oath of office to new member Cleon Cornett, and re-appointed Lynn Cox, April Leisge and Scott Sherman to the commission board.

“I appreciate the services you all have given to the city of Cumberland,” said Hatfield.

Assistant Director Suzanne Williams listed upcoming events being planned by the commission. Among those were the annual Black Bear Bike night, which will begin April 28 at 5 p.m., and continue on the fourth Saturday of each month through September. The event is held at the Rotary Park on Main Street in Cumberland.

“Last year we had bikers from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia as well as our surrounding counties,” said Williams. “This year we’re planning a half and half raffle each time, and in June we’ll have a silent auction. All proceeds will go back into our event. We’ll also be having live music each time and are going to advertise it so the people who liked Music in the Park can attend. It’s a good family atmosphere where you can bring your family and friends, pull out a lawn chair and enjoy some community hospitality.”

Williams said the ninth annual Black Bear Festival will be held May 11-12.

“We’ll have a carnival and rides, petting zoo, pony ride, Black Mountain Thunder Zip Line and a train in the park,” said Williams. “On Main Street we’ll have a variety of food ranging from frog legs to funnel cakes, vendor booths and informational booths. For entertainment we’ll have David Browning, who does the Mayberry Deputy and we’re looking for some clowns.”

Also planned for the festival is music all day, and on Friday evening a contemporary Christian band called King and Country, who are currently touring with Winter Jam 2012, will be preforming. On Saturday, Williams said several local bands will play throughout the day and that evening the bluegrass band Moron Brothers will perform. She said they are known for their “funny stories and they have performed with a lot of famous people.”

“Our annual mine rescue contest, which is part of Harlan County Safety Days, will be held July 24-26 at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College,” said Williams. “Currently we have 10 teams, coming from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, West Virginia, Virginia and Alabama. This year we’re having a banquet at the end of the contest to give out the awards.”

Director Tracy Bailey said the commission is eligible for two grants from the Brushy Fork Institute. She added that the city may be eligible for a “Trail Town designation” from the Kentucky Department of Adventure Tourism.

“What this is, where we have Pine Mountain, Little Shepherd’s Trail, Kingdom Come State Park, two walking trails in Benham and Lynch, and the mayor is getting ready to start on a walking trail project, through the Rails to Trails Program which will go to Blair, will make us eligible for this designation.”

In other commission actions:

* Noted Dairy Hut Too in Cumberland will be reopening this week.

* Voted to add the wording “unaudited financial report” on the commission agenda and when the report is approved the wording be placed in the minutes.

*Approved a $200 sign sponsorship for the Harlan County High School girl’s softball team. They also approved a $100 sign sponsorship and $350 team sponsorship for the Tri-City Little League.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com