‘Very special’ Labor Day in Catlettsburg
CATLETTSBURG Catlettsburg’s nickname is the Gate City, but on Labor Day weekend, it is perhaps best known as simply “the place to be.”
From the pageantry of the parade to an always-anticipated country music show, Monday capped off a packed weekend carrying with it a little more meaning in 2024.
Catlettsburg celebrated its 175th birthday. In 1849, when Zachary Taylor was serving as the United States’ 12th president, a man by the name of James Wilson Fry laid out the town. It became incorporated in 1858, and eventually earned its status as the seat of Boyd County in the 1860s.
Mayor Faith Day didn’t even attempt the word signifying 175 years — demisemiseptcentennial.
“It’s some big, long word and I can’t even tell you what it is,” Day said with a laugh following the parade. She was in the middle of setting up for a mid-day party featuring a large cake.
“It’s very special,” Day continued. “I feel like it’s an honor to serve. I love our town. I love our people. It’s part of history, and we’re making history.”
The 57th installment of the parade contained all the staples — fire trucks showing off impressively loud sirens, sweet-toothed children with plastic buckets and bags open to the candy throwers and, of course, the unabashed El Hasa shriners showing off dance moves and driving clown cars.
Adyson Powers, Miss Flame 2024, waved beauty-queen style from a BMW convertible. Traveling northbound just past the courthouses, she was apparently too generous with her candy supply early on in the parade route.
“It was fabulous,” said Powers, a Boyd County High School senior. “But I did run out of candy.”
The kids didn’t go hungry, though, as they gobbled up Tootsie Rolls, Dum-Dums and Dubble Bubble to their hearts’ content.
Alexis Russell was the Labor Day Ambassador.
Judge Devon Reams (Hunter), of Boyd County’s division 2 district court, was the parade’s grand marshal. Reams is the first female judge elected to serve in Boyd County. She started her term in January 2023.
The parade lasted an hour under a bright, blue sky amid warm, breezy conditions.
“We ordered it that way,” joked councilperson Tina Taylor, who watched the parade alongside her daughter, son in-law and granddaughter. “It’s just wonderful, brings the community together. I’m so glad to be a part of it. … It’s all about getting together as family, when sometimes they don’t get to see each other much throughout the year, and seeing old friends. It’s great for the community.”
Carnival rides, craft vendors, the birthday celebration and performances by Confederate Railroad and Pam Tillis filled the rest of the day’s happenings. The concert was free.
The second annual KenDucky Derby took place on Saturday, with an ice cream social and movie that night. A fireworks display entertained residents and visitors on Sunday night.