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Struggle Jennings performs in front of a packed Pineville gymnasium during the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. (Photo by Jay Compton)

Caitlynne Curtis joined Struggle Jennings on stage to perform their No. 1 hit 'God We Need You Now' Thursday night at the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. (Photo by Jay Compton)

Struggle Jennings during his KMLF performance. (Photo by Jay Compton)

Reigning 2023 KMLF Princess Alexis Blakely Wise and the 2024 Princess candidates and their escorts pose for a group picture inside Pineville High School. (Photo by Jay Compton)

Reigning 2023 KMLF Queen Paige Smith and the 2024 Queen candidates and their escorts pose for a group picture Thursday night. (Photo by Jay Compton)

The 93rd Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival held its opening ceremony  Thursday night at Pineville High School’s Lions’ Den gymnasium. The night was capped off with a concert headlined by Struggle Jennings and several special guests.

Pineville Mayor Scott Madon, KMLF Chair Kristy Burnett and KMLF President John Combs welcomed everyone to this year’s festival. Led by reigning 2023 Princess Alexis Blakely Wise from Oldham County High School and reigning 2023 Queen Paige Smith from Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College, all of this year’s Queen and Princess candidates introduced themselves to the crowd.

The 2024 Princess will be crowned Friday evening at Pineville High School’s Orville Engle Gymnasium with the coronation program starting at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday starts with the Gala Parade through downtown Pineville with grand marshal Kentucky Mr. Football Daniel Thomas.

The Queen’s Coronation takes place at the Laurel Cove Amphitheater at Pine Mountain State Park at 2 p.m. with Gov. Andy Beshear crowning the new queen.

The new queen will be honored with a Grand March and Ball at the Orville Engle Gymnasium Saturday evening at 8 p.m.

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