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Coal Days a hit Shawneetown mayor says return of local festivals a welcome sight

  • Shawneetown Mayor David Barker, joined by his grandson Brady Barker, delivers a check for $500 to Gallatin County Schools Band Director and music teacher Ben Austin to be used for the Gallatin County Marching Band. The band entertained the crowds at Coal Days festivities, Barker said.

    Shawneetown Mayor David Barker, joined by his grandson Brady Barker, delivers a check for $500 to Gallatin County Schools Band Director and music teacher Ben Austin to be used for the Gallatin County Marching Band. The band entertained the crowds at Coal Days festivities, Barker said.
    PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID BARKER

  • The carnival at Coal Days was a thrill for many in the community.

    The carnival at Coal Days was a thrill for many in the community.
    PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF SHAWNEETOWN

 
By Travis DeNeal tdeneal@dailyregister.com
updated: 6/3/2021 5:01 PM

SHAWNEETOWN -- The return of Coal Days to Shawneetown is a hopeful indicator that life is beginning to return to normal, Mayor David Barker says.

"We're glad to have Coal Days back," Barker said. "We had a great turnout. A lot of people showed up, and it's nice to see small town festivals being held again. This is the way it should be."

Many gatherings were canceled nationwide during 2020 in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With the decline in the number of cases, increasing number of vaccinated people and restrictions on social gatherings being lifted, Barker said he hopes that other community festivals in Gallatin County and other communities will continue to return this year.

 
 
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