Mountain Laurel Festival returns
0Written By Tori Breeding
Events in preperation for the 88th annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival kicked off on Monday, Feb. 5 at the University of Pikeville. There are 11 candidates vying to represent UPIKE in Pineville in May: Bethany Jervis, Adison Corder, Christen (Mackenzie) Fraley, Cheyenne Harlow, Audrey Caudill, Sydney Boyd, McKenzie Gibson, Morgan Thompson, Brianna Blackburn, Alannah Little, and Cailee Marcum.
On Monday, Feb. 5, the Mountain Laurel candidates presented speeches and participated in individual interviews. Tuesday, Feb. 6, the candidates will attend the weekly chapel service and later a dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Wednesday, Feb. 7, the ladies will interact at a tea at the President’s Home. Thursday, Feb. 7, the winner will be crowned by previous Mountain Laurel Festival Queen Kynsi McIntyre, during halftime at the men’s basketball game.
In May, the UPIKE representative will then compete with representatives from other Kentucky colleges and universities to be crowned Mountain Laurel Queen during the annual festival in Pineville.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, and I thought it would be fun to step out of my boundaries. I’m excited because Braydon Sode is my escort,” said Fraley about why she chose to compete for the crown.
The first Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival was held in 1931 in honor of pioneer explorer, Dr. Thomas Walker.