Reina P. Cunningham
Staff Writer
The Arts on the Second Saturday in Cumberland Gap is off to a great start this season.
The first of a series of monthly events was held Saturday, kicking off the activities scheduled in the Gap this summer.
The Cumberland Gap Arts Council called this month’s event April Showers Umbrella & Rainy Day Costume Contests. The event took place at Festival Park on Colywn Avenue.
Cumberland Gap Art Council President Joe Wolfenbarger was happy with the turnout.
“For the first time, we had a good crowd,” said Wolfenbarger. “I think it will continue to grow.”
There were no entries in the Rainy Day Costume Contest, but several contestants decorated umbrellas to be judged by the members of the art council.
Marine Martin, of Middlesboro, was the winner in the 11-17 year-old age group. Martin’s umbrella stood out with its glistening raindrops dangling down and blowing in the wind.
Kathy Matthews, of Cumberland Gap, Tenn., was the winner in the adult division. Matthew’s umbrella was dressed up as a turtle, complete with pictures of various residents and historic building of Cumberland Gap on its shell.
Entertainment for the event included local musicians, The Washboard Singers and Rachel Lynn.
The Washboard Singers is a group consisting of citizens of Cumberland Gap and surrounding counties. The group used to perform at Webb’s Country Kitchen on Fridays, saying they were happy to be performing in Cumberland Gap again.
Rachel Lynn is a 16 year old Cumberland Gap High School student from Harrogate, Tenn. She has been performing at local, state and national competitions for the past several years.
She has placed in every competition she has performed in — at times competing against more than 100 other performers.
Lynn is also scheduled to perform at the Daniel Boone Festival in Barbourville in October.
The newly opened Pineapple Tearoom catered to participants and individuals who came out to enjoy the event. The restaurant set up a hot dog stand in front of their store and served chili dogs, chips and homemade cole slaw.
The next Arts on the Second Saturday in Cumberland Gap will be May 11, the same day as the annual Crazy Aunt Sadie’s Yard Sale. The event is scheduled to begin at approximately 5 p.m. as the yard sale is coming to a close.
The May event will feature student art exhibits from the region. There will be someone making balloon animals for the kids. a puppet show is scheduled.
The Washboard Singers and Lynn will be joined by local artist Jimmy Rose in May.
Rose is well-known throughout Bell County for his single, “Coal Keeps the Lights On.” He is currently an America’s Got Talent hopeful.
In order to ensure he receives all of Bell County residents’ votes and support if he gets to appear on the show, Rose and his girlfriend, Heather, have been setting up in Bell and Harlan counties, passing out signed copies of his CDs.
Reach Reina P. Cunningham at 606-248-1010, ext. 205, rpcunningham@civitasmedia.com.
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