Home | News | Black Gold History | Message Boards

The Black Gold Festival Festival Has Been Held Every Year Since 1977 

Hazard is my home town.  I have always enjoyed seeing my many friends that return to Hazard each year doing many reunions.  I served as a city commissioner for many years and I must say the most exciting thing I ever witnessed was to ride on the fire truck into Hazard the day of the parade when everyone from several states came here to see the Dukes of Hazzard.  The new by-pass was ready to be opened about this time and I saw thousands of people and cars and busses lined up over there. We owned the Hazard Rexall Drug on Main Street at this time and my husband, Joe, said the huge plate glass window in front of the store swayed but never crashed with the push of the crowd.  It all seems so real right now, just thinking of all the past Black Golds! Makes me wish that it could be developed into something exciting and new for Hazard. Perhaps that will happen in a few more years.  Elizabeth Snyder Duncan, Hazard, KY

"I have been going to Black Gold every since the Dukes of Hazzard came to town.  Haven't miss a one.  I think that our community is a great place to live. It might be small but we have big heart.  Thanks for the many years bringing Black Gold to town.  I never will forget seeing Garth Brooks.  Me and my sister didn't know who he was.  But after that everyone knew who Mr. Garth Brooks was.  We also said that Garth coming to Hazard is why he made it so big.  Keep up the good work  Can't wait till next year.  I have one suggestion, please make the music shows free again.  That is best thing for Hazard, Ky.  May God Bless America and all the ones in Armed Forces." Renee Fugate, Hazard, KY

"I would like to thank the Black Gold Festival Committee for another successful festival. I would also like to thank the committee for all the hard work, tremendous effort, not to mention the countless hours that some of you have put into the planning and the execution of this spectacular four day event."  Joan Stacy, Hazard, KY

"I just love the black gold festival! I have been attending ever since I can remember although I am only 14 years old.  One of my fondest memories is seeing Cletus T. Judd in 2004 and even this year they are having country music stars like Trick pony and Billy Currington.  I love the Black Gold.  It makes me happy to see so many people there.  It makes me proud of my home city - Hazard." Julie Nichole Spencer, Hazard, KY

"I really enjoyed seeing Buddy Jewel.  I love hearing him sing and he performed an awesome concert in 2004.  The other groups that sang were awesome to.  Cant wait for this years concerts and festival." Lorri in Hallie, KY

"I love the Black Gold because, I'm a strong MC Napier fan and I love seeing all of my old friends from Napier."  Scott Couch, Hazard. KY

"I always enjoy going to the Black Gold.  You are destined to see people you haven't seen in awhile."  Nerissa Campbell, Hazard, KY

"I love the Black Gold it is so much fun and it's a chance to get out of the holler... I'm a big holler rat.  There's so much food, fun, and you get to meet all kinds of people." Mara in Leatherwood, KY

"I remember when the Dukes of Hazzard came to the Black Gold Festival... I had my picture taken with Boss Hogg."  Liz Bush, Chavies, KY

"I love the car show and sound competition.  Thanks Black Gold for making me a proud owner of a boomin' sound system!"  Kara Sizemore, Cartersville, GA

"I love the craft booths.  I can walk through them 3-4 times & the food booths have anything you want to eat.  I enjoy it very much."  Barbara Stacy, Ary, KY

"I grew up in Hazard and the Black Gold has been my favorite for many years." Scott Napier, Crittenden KY

"I really look forward to the Black Gold Festival every year.  The Black Gold Festival means a lot to me and my family.  It seems to get better every year.  Thank you."  Ruth Baker, Chavies, KY

"I use to live in Willard.  I like going to the Black Gold, it gives me a chance to see my friends again."  Juanita Cornett, Florence, KY

" Keep up the good work!"  Lee Epperson, Cornettsville, KY

"Forget the carnival, Main Street is where all the action is!  Me and my friends have a blast!  I get to meet a lot of people and find out there are other freaks in this town besides me!"  Chris Wicker Hazard, KY (actually in Ned)

"Although I am now retired and live in Galion, Ohio as a young girl my family and I traveled to Hazard. I believe we were looking for some good clean sorgrum molasseses. I always thought your town was special and the people were so friendly.  Although I am now a world traveler, it is eastern Kentucky where I call home. Harlan & Hazard.  HOME SWEET HOME." Rena Cawood Stewart Galion. Oh

"Hello Black Gold Festival. Just wanted to drop in and say a very special thank you to the entire committee for all the wonderful years in the parade. I am the mother of a handicapped daughter named Amy Ritchie. She has gone through the parade for many glorious years. One year Hazard made her a Duchess of the city. This truly was a wonderful moment for us all. She looks forward to the Black Gold Festival each year. Thanks again Black Gold for making a big difference in the life of a very special girl." Ruth Williams, Fisty, KY (Knott County)

"I attended only one celebration which I think was the very first one called the Hazard Coal Carnival in 1937.  I was eight years old, and a playmate (Jimmy Boyas, whose dad ran the White Spot Lunch) and I got lost in the crowd on Main Street.  We had never seen so many people gathered in one place. I remember the girl who won 'Queen,' Rita Duff.  So many years ago, so many fond memories.  Our family had a grocery store on Main Street (Ralph Reda Grocery) and after the coal carnival, the front of the store was done in blocks of coal and a 'coal house' was built on the court house grounds."  Billie Reda Sowers, Dayton, Ohio

"I think the work done by the Black Gold Festival Committee is mostly overlooked. Being involved with the '81 through '83 Black Gold Parade, I know the work involved. I would like to commend the Committee for the work they do every year to put on such a great event." Bill McIntosh, Hazard, KY

"I have a great many pictures of the Dukes of Hazzard and still have a lot of memories. I loved it when ole Roscoe kissed my cheek and my baby waited for a week for Daisy to call him. ( he finally gave up) lol. We enjoyed the whole thing." Karen Brewer Gardner, Indiana 

"I love this part of Kentucky...Home Sweet Home." Rena Cawood Stewart, Galion, Ohio

"I grew up in Hazard and would really like to attend.  Thanks." Jane Gregory Harris, San Diego, CA

"My husband and I owned a pharmacy, Corner Drug, during the 1981 Black Gold festival and we had the privilege of meeting all of the Dukes of Hazzard. It was a wonderful experience." Susie Fields, Hazard, KY

"A few years ago I visited with an old friend, Finley Begley, on Main Street at the Black Gold Festival while he ate a bar-b-cue sandwich. I also talked to Walter Prater and saw the Trace Adkins concert and saw Kentucky basketball player - Jeff Sheppard. I had a lot of fun."  Charles Gross, New Port Richey, FL

Share your thoughts with us

Do you have a special Black Gold memory? Maybe it was seeing the Dukes of Hazzard stars on Main Street in 1981, or witnessing an electrifying concert from Garth Brooks to Toby Keith. Or maybe it was simply seeing old friends over a funnel cake downtown. Submit your comments below.  The Black Gold Festival started in 1977.  What was the first year you attended?