Voter Registration at Black Gold Festival

This weekend the Perry County Chapter set up a voter registration booth at the annual Black Gold Festival in downtown Hazard.  Cody Montgomery, while working the booth said, "The Black Gold Festival is a celebration of the coal economy in east Kentucky, but the cool weather, concessions, and atmosphere of the festival lures so many, it also offers a chance to engage community members and highlight KFTC’s voter campaign and register voters.â€

Perry County’s new Steering Committee representation Cleveland Smith also registered voters that day, at a festival he has attended his whole life.  He said of the festival, "Black Gold is a festival centered around the coal industry, so it’s important for us to use this space to introduce new and alternative perspectives.â€

Among the sites, smells, and sounds of Black Gold was the worlds largest pinball machine (located right in front of our booth), blooming onions, and a large number of ‘Coal for Kids’ balloons.  But the Perry Chapter registered nearly a dozen voters, sold three t-shirts, and gained 2 local members.  Not bad for a Friday afternoon. 

Pictured to the right: Steering Committee Rep. Cleveland Smith, Organizer Tanya Turner, and long standing member Russell Oliver.