by Marcia Raubach, Publicity Director, Old King Coal Festival
Blue Suede Crew
Nostalgia comes to town as the Old King Coal Festival officially kicks off their 2017 version with the theme “I Love Coal”. Thursday, May 11. A big hit with festival goers on Thursday is “family night” on the midway with all rides one ticket.
Blue Suede Crew hits the main stage at 6 pm taking festival goers on a musical journey as they relive some of the greatest hits of Rock ‘n’ Roll. There will be dancing in the street with the Crew performs hits from Bill Haley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis
Former WPSD TV meteorologist Lew Jetton
and the King himself, Elvis Presley. It only gets better when the Crew launches into a special tribute to the music of the Beatles, Beach Boys, Elton John, Rolling Stones and many more.
Blend Acapella Doo-Wop brings back the hits form the 50’s and 60’s Friday night beginning at 6:30 and Lew Jetton & 61 South bring their critically acclaimed “Southern-Fried” Chicago Blues sound to the stage at 8:30.
Johnny Cash Tribute Band
Bill Forness and the Johnny Cash Tribute Band have mastered the essence of a real Johnny Cash performance and will thrill the audience with favorites like “Ring of Fire”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, “I Walk the Line,” and “Jackson” when they come on stage at 6 on Saturday evening followed by the Brat Pack bringing back the 80’s starting at 8:30.
Music continues at 1 Sunday afternoon with the country based Cadillac Jones Band, who bring the sounds of all your favorite country artists from Garth, Jennings, Jones, and Haggard to Eric Church, Dierks Bentley and many more. All concerts are free. Festival goers are urged to bring lawnchairs for the concerts.
Old King Coal, Charles A. Bartoni Jr and Princess Flame, Lexie Tourville will reign over the festival which runs May 11th thru the 14th in downtown West Frankfort. The festival features Luehrs’, one of the top midways in the country.
Coal Miners Memorial Service at 10 am on Saturday at Coal Miners Memorial Park downtown West Frankfort, Grand Parade at 1 pm and lots of 
food and crafts. Cash prizes will be awarded on the main stage immediately following the parade for Best of Show, Best Church, Best Business, Best Club/Organization and Best Coal Theme.
Family Day returns on Sunday afternoon with all rides taking one ticket. For a complete schedule of the Old King Coal Festival go to www.oldkingcoalfestival.org.
MURPHYSBORO, IL (Zach Robinson, KFVS-TV Please Click by reading the full story here is an excerpt) Flooded farmland in Murphysboro turned into a perfect place to make a huge catch on Friday. Louis Glidewell and his son Charles were fishing from on an old railroad bed when they reeled in a monster flathead catfish. To see just how big it was, check out the full story on Heartland Weekend. 
So far this system has behaved itself, and not aggravating the flood situation. In last report both lanes of 148 south of Zeigler are now open.
