MADISON -- For nearly two decades, the West Virginia Coal Festival has provided wholesome entertainment for the entire family. This year is no exception.

The most diverse entertainment lineup in the history of the West Virginia Coal Festival is expected to bring standing room only crowds to the City of Madison the third week of June for the 20th Annual WV Coal Festival, organizers of the annual event said.

“There will be entertainment for people of all age groups,” said WV Coal Festival secretary and publicist Larry V. Lodato.

Starting with the ever popular Bellamy Brothers on Thursday, June 20, the Festival will feature a special celebration of talented entertainers for those who love to sit back and partake of the music, from gospel to country to a tribute to the British invasion premier attraction of the 1960s to the hottest band in the world in the 1980s. And the best part, of course, is that all concerts are free. Friday, June 21, features “Beatlemania Magic,” a tribute to the Beatles, for two performances, and Saturday, June 22, night brings funnyman Cledus T. Judd and “Dressed To Kill,” a tribute to the once hottest band in the world “Kiss,” to the stage.

“This is by far the most attractive lineup we’ve come up with for the public to enjoy,” Lodato said.

The Festival also will feature the usual activities, including Fireworks and the Grand Parade on Saturday, June 22; the Scholarship Beauty Pageant on Saturday, June 15; Gambil Amusements carnival, the Miners Memorial Service on Wednesday, June 19, coal mine machinery displays across from the Boone County Courthouse Wednesday, June 19, through Saturday, June 22, and a special West Virginia Day event on Thursday, June 20, at the Boone County Arts & Heritage Center in honor of the State’s 150th Anniversary of West Virginia’s Civil War birth, Lodato added.

The opening ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m., Tuesday, June 18, in front of the Boone County Courthouse, WVCF President Joy Underwood announced.

Delores W. Cook will preside over the Miners Memorial Service on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 6 p.m., in front of the Boone County Courthouse.

“The solemn service will recognize those fallen miners who lost their lives mining coal since the 2012 Festival,” she said.

Jimbo Clendenen, mine machinery coordinator, said he anticipates a large display of equipment despite the recent slowdown in the coal industry.

“We expect about 20 companies from several states to set up their equipment display for the public to view,” he said. “Many coal miners take this opportunity to show their families and friends the type of equipment they work on in the mines.”

WVCF Board Member Greg Collins will be assisting Clendenen again this year.

Recapping the entertainment, The Bellamy Brothers officially skyrocketed to stardom in 1976 when their single, “Let Your Love Flow” became an instant No. 1 song in both the U.S. and Europe. Three years later, the Bellamy’s had another No. 1 smash hit, “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me). Other successes followed including “Lovers Live Longer,” Redneck Girl,” “Do You Love as Good as You Look,”

Along the way, Howard and David Bellamy created a patent on the newly cool “duo” category in country music. In the era of the 2000’s, the Bellamy Brothers hold the record in both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association Awards (CMA) for the most duo nominations.

The Beatlemania Magic group and the Kiss Tribute group will be dressed in full attire of the original bands and will be performing all their favorites.

Cledus T. Judd will literally bring the house down with his redneck antics of some of the biggest stars in the business, including Brad Paisley’s “Camouflage” (“My Garage),” an updated take on “I Love NASCAR”; a recession-perfect take on Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” (“The House That Broke Me)” and “Double D Cups” an uproarious answer to Toby Keith’s smash hit “Red Solo Cup” with an obvious tweak in subject matter. Cledus has often been called the “Weird Al” Yankovic of country music.

For Parade participation information, please contact Carolyn Kuhn at 304-369-3975 and for Pageant information, contact Maxine Tinnel at 304-369-6140.

For more information and pictures about the West Virginia Coal Festival, visit the online Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/WV-Coal-Festival-Inc/191752220860654?ref=ts&fref=ts