ABF 2.0 Logistics
Who is this event for?
This gathering is for all who care about the future of eastern Kentucky and are interested in a positive, constructive conversation about efforts to shape a just economic transition in the region. We hope for a good mix of people from every corner of Kentucky, including friends from nearby counties and those who live in more distant towns, cities and rural communities. We also welcome participants from other communities in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and beyond.
Costs
The registration fee for this event is a sliding scale of $15 to $100.
We have tried to keep the costs of this event low enough that everyone who wants to participate is able to do so. All contributions are needed and appreciated.
Your registration covers participation in the weekend program, including maps, program and other materials. It also covers entrance to the awards ceremony on Friday night, dinner on Friday and Saturday night, and a shuttle from dinner to the nearby square dance. Registration also includes entrance to the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham and the Portal 31 underground coal mine tour in Lynch. (Spaces for the underground tour are limited, and you must reserve when you register.) Your registration fee also covers camping at Wiley’s Last Resort on Pine Mountain and two light breakfasts for campers, if you choose the camping option.
If you wish to stay in a local motel or bed-and-breakfast, you’ll need to make your own arrangements for Friday and Saturday evening. Information about lodging options is listed below.
Out-of-pocket expenses for the weekend will include a $5 fee to enter the square dance and lunch on your own on Saturday and Sunday.
Lodging
Camping at Wiley’s Last Resort
(Please let us know on the registration form if you plan to camp. There is no need for you to contact the campground owner separately about your plans. There is no additional camping fee if you register for this event.)
This campground, owned by KFTC member Jim Webb, is a great place to pitch a tent. It is located right on top of Pine Mountain along U.S. 119, along the road that connects Benham and Whitesburg. Accommodations include 50 acres devoted to camping and trails; parking; a picnic shelter; a bath house with toilet, sinks, & shower; one full kitchen; and multiple composting toilets. You’ll need to bring your own camping supplies, including tents, sleeping bags and pads, and flashlights. We highly recommend that you set up your tent during daylight hours and then proceed to dinner in Lynch on Friday night!
Wiley’s campground is located about 30 minutes from the communities of Benham and Lynch, where we will have dinner on Friday night and begin the day on Saturday morning. It’s about 45 minutes from the location of the square dance on Saturday night. The address is U.S. 119 at the Little Shepherd Trail, Whitesburg, Kentucky 41858, 606-634-3306, www.wileyslastresort.com.
Directions from the Letcher County side of Pine Mountain: The Resort is 4 1/2 miles from Pine Mountain Junction in Whitesburg. At the Pine Mountain Junction, pretend you are going to McDonald’s. Pass it by and take US 119 S toward Cumberland/Harlan to the very top of the mountain, a mere 4 1/2 miles. At the top you will start downhill. Turn on your left turn signal. Take the driveway to the Walled-In Pond on the left.
From the Harlan County side of Pine Mountain: Take US 119 N to the very top of the mountain. The driveway to the Walled-In Pond will be on the right.
Local hotels, inns, cabins and bed-and-breakfast options
Below is a list of local hotels and inns in Harlan and Letcher counties. If you do not plan to camp at Wiley’s Last Resort, you are encouraged to call one of these places immediately to reserve your room.
Benham School House Inn
800-231-0627
100 Central Avenue, Benham, KY 40807
The inn, a renovated school building, is located in the community where we will meet on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is about 1 hour from the location of the square dance on Saturday night. The Inn has limited space available on this weekend, so please reserve early.
Harlan County Campground, Cabins and RV Park
866-573-9009
8331 Hwy 119 N, Putney, KY 40865
This campground has numerous cabins and places for RV camping. It is located about 15 minutes from the community where we will meet on Friday night and Saturday morning, and about 1 hour and 10 minutes from the square dance on Saturday night.
Comfort Inn (formerly a Holiday Inn Express)
606-573-3385
2608 U.S. 421, Harlan, KY 40831
This hotel is about 35 minutes from Benham and Lynch, where we will gather on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is about 1 hour and 20 minutes from the location of the square dance on Saturday night.
Mount Aire Motel
Reservation: 800-988-4660
355 Skidmore Drive, Harlan, KY 40831
This is about 35 minutes from Benham and Lynch, where we will gather on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is about 1 hr and 20 minutes from the location of the square dance on Saturday night.
America’s Best Value Inn
606-589-2646
18855 North US Hwy 119 in Cumberland, KY 40823
This hotel is located just a few miles away from where we will meet on Friday night and Saturday morning. It’s about 1 hour from the location of the square dance on Saturday night. It’s one of the cheaper local options.
The Little Inn of Harlan
(606) 573-7011
508 S Main St, Harlan, KY 40831
This comfortable 5-bedroom home can be rented fully or room-by-room for very affordable rates. It is located about 30 minutes from the community where we will meet on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is about 1 hr and 20 minutes from the location of the square dance on Saturday night.
Gramp’s Cabin
423-487-3333
190 Hwy 2036, Letcher, KY 41832
Gramp's Cabin offers 3 bedrooms and 1 full bath. There is also a fully-equipped kitchen, dining room and large living area. The cabin sits on 3 acres with mountain views and is within walking distance of a small creek. It’s located about 50 minutes from the community where we will meet on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is not far, however, from the location of the square dance on Saturday night.
Happy Mountain Lodge
606-633-8013 or 606-821-6611
92 Memory Lane, Letcher, KY 41858
[email protected]
This cabin is located about 50 minutes from the community where we will meet on Friday night and Saturday morning. It is not far, however, from the location of the square dance on Saturday night.
Whitesburg Motel
(606) 633-8888
377-a Hazard Road, Whitesburg, KY 41858
This motel, which used to be the Super 8, is about 45 minutes from the location where we will have dinner on Friday evening and begin our program on Saturday morning. It is about 30 minutes from the location where we will have a square dance on Saturday night.
The Quiltmaker Inn
(606) 785-5622
18 West Main Street, Hindman, KY, next to Appalachian Artisan Center
www.quiltmakerinn.com
This motel, which used to be the Super 8, is about an hour and ten minutes from the location where we will have dinner on Friday evening and begin our program on Saturday morning. It is about 35 minutes from the location where we will have a square dance on Saturday night.
Meeting locations and times
Friday night’s awards ceremony and dinner will take place at the Eastern Kentucky Social Club, 278 W Main Street, Lynch, KY 40855 at 7 p.m.
Saturday morning we’ll gather for a local foods community breakfast at Greater Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, 409 1st Stree, Lynch, KY.
After breakfast, we will meet at the Benham Theater, 20 Circle Park Road, Benham, KY 40807 at 9 a.m. for our opening session.
At 4 pm on Saturday we’ll gather at the Appalshop Theater, 91 Madison Street, Whitesburg, KY 41858
Directions to our dinner and square dance on Saturday night and all other locations on the tour will be provided in a detailed program distributed during the opening session on Saturday morning.
