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Miss Hazard Coal Carnival Contestants (1937)

These Perry County beauties competed in the Miss Coal Carnival pageant in 1937.  It was one of the highlights of the first Hazard Coal Carnival, the forerunner of the Black Gold Festival.  The following photos were taken by Frances Calitri Easterling at Sandy Beach on the North Fork of the Kentucky River near Viper, Kentucky.  

(Left to right) Miss Chavies - Rita Duff; Miss Blue Diamond - Lorene Yother; Miss Harveyton - Pauline Begley; & Miss Busy; Rebecca Morgan.  Rita Duff won the title of Miss Hazard Coal Carnival - 1937  Click on images to enlarge.

                 
              Contestants with Don Reda        Click on images                     

Photos courtesy of Alison Easterling

Viewer's Comments

"I was surprised to see the photo of my cousin Don Reda with the 1937 bathing beauties.  I have seen several photos on your web site that bring back memories of the time I was growing up in Hazard.  I always check the web to see what's new.  Keep up the good work."  Billie Reda Sowers, Dayton, Ohio

"I was five or six at that time and I barely remember the contest.  I do remember the parade and think my Aunt Rebecca Morgan was the prettiest girl there.  I couldn't see how she didn't win.  Rebecca had to live with us at Busy as she couldn't walk out from Henry Morgan's farm each day.  Most of Dad's younger brothers and sisters lived with us during the high school years.  I graduated from 'Old Combs High' in 1949.  I am a retired research engineer and I spend the winter in Arizona and the summers here in Cold Spring, KY."  Keith Morgan

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