Published: August 26, 2008 11:59 pm      

Reception to kick off Gate City fest

Labor Day parade to focus on 1950s

Catlettsburg — Plans are being finalized for the annual Catlettsburg Labor Day Celebration.

The theme of the parade, which will be at 10 a.m. Monday, is “Rock Around the Clock Through the ’50s.” Floats in the parade will be judged; prize money and a trophy will be awarded to the best theme float. Second and third place also will be named. Lineup will be at Oakland Avenue Baptist Church by 9 a.m.

Arts and crafts space also is available for rent Monday at the courthouse. For more information, call Gail Sammons at (606) 739-5277.

Here is a list of events:

‰The mayor’s reception, the kickoff event of Catlettsburg’s Labor Day events, is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Boyd County Extension Office at 2420 Center St.

‰Events continue Saturday with the Rockin’ Praise Fest. Hosted by John Stevens, musical acts performing, beginning at 3:30 p.m. on the main stage on 26th Street, will be Sackcloth 2 Joy, Local GOD, Chasing 7, Nick Fry and Nate Sallie of Newsong.

Saturday also will be a day of reunions. The Catlettsburg High School alumni homecoming will be at 6 p.m. at the Catlettsburg Elementary School gym. The CHS Class of 1968 will meet at 6 p.m. at the train depot.

‰A community church service is set for 10:30 a.m. to noon Sunday at the courthouse. Karaoke will be offered on the small stage from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Russell E. Compton Museum Train Depot will be open from 1 to 5 p.m.

England Hill Free Will Baptist Church will have a church service at 5:30 p.m. at the courthouse.

Music continues at 7 p.m. on the main stage with a Southern gospel sing hosted by Dave Conley and featuring Face to Face, New Time and New Vision Trio.

‰Carnival rides, arts and crafts, concessions and inflatables will be offered all day Monday.

Parade lineup begins at 8:30 a.m. at Oakland Avenue Baptist. The parade begins at 10 a.m. with grand marshal Pauline Hunt, Thomas R. Brown High School Class of 1958.

An invocation and the singing of the national anthem get an afternoon and evening of music under way. Performing at 11:30 a.m. will be Stephen Salyers, followed by a performance by the Wizards of Dance. At 1:30 p.m., Caitlin Mulvaney and Rachel Hannah will perform, with the Joe Freeman Band at 2 p.m. and RU His at 3 p.m.

The museum will be open from 1 to 5 p.m.

The final round of musical performances will begin at 7 p.m. with Georgette Jones. At 8 p.m., Janie Fricke will perform and at 9 p.m., Gene Watson will perform, with a concert by George Jones concluding the evening’s entertainment at 10 p.m.

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.