Ky Mountain Laurel Festival - Reflecting Pool - Bell County High School - Macy Elizabeth Epperson; Middlesboro High School - Taylor Blake Grigsby; Pineville High School - Alexandria Susanne Knuckles

Kentucky is a most unique Commonwealth for many reasons. First our importance begins in geography and the forming of the nation. The Cumberland Gap was named for the Duke of Cumberland. The natural gap in the mountain created the only forgeable crossing for those earlier pioneers and settlers who traveled along the Appalachian route searing for a way to get over the mountains. In 1750 Dr. Thomas Walker discovered the Cumberland Gap, but it was Daniel Boone and all those who followed the Wilderness Road Trail that made it famous. The month of May is unique in Kentucky because of events of the first weekend and the last weekend. The first weekend in May host the Kentucky Derby. Hats, Horses, and Hot Browns. Now you can see my ministerial training at work in the 3 H’s of the Derby. The last weekend in May the City of Pineville-Bell County, host the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. The uniqueness continues as the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen’s Coronation and Pageant concludes with the Crowning of a Queen at the Laurel Cove Amphitheater. The Queens Candidates represent the colleges and universities from across Kentucky. The KMLF also host a Princess Pageant with the Crowning of the Princess on Friday night of the Festival Weekend. Locally representing our area High Schools are: Bell County – Macy Elizabeth Epperson, Middlesboro – Taylor Blake Grigsby and Pineville High School Alexandria Susanne Knuckles. The Festival begins Thursday evening, May 23rd at Bell County High School. Last year Brooklyhn Jhade Woods was crowned the 2012 Princess representing Harlan County High School This year Brooklyhn will not only be there representing her official capacity as Princess, but she will also be performing musically as a part of the evening’s entertainment. She will be singing prior to the main stage event with Red Bow Records Recording Artist Joe Nichols. I have been involved with the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival for many years. Each year witnessing the grace and beauty of the pageant Princess and Queen Candidates reminds me of the various roles we assume throughout life. Some roles are on the main stage and others are behind the scenes. Each year the festival welcomes many first time visitors to this Kentucky Tradition. For local Princess Candidates the Festival opportunity allows for them to see the city and her residents in a way probably never before experienced. Here in the mountains we like to talk about putting your “best foot” forward. It is basically the idea that we want folks to see the best in us and we are striving to make sure they see it. At the Laurel Cove Amphitheater each year the park staff creates a beautiful reflecting pool. On Saturday afternoon during the Queen’s Coronation the representatives all dressed in white dresses will line the rock edge of the reflecting pool. There is absolutely nothing any prettier than that moment when the Queen Candidates stand and the radiant blue water reflects their image. Seeing your own reflection is unique in life. Often times we go to look in a mirror to see what we see. Having a clear view is important when considering what you are seeing. Understanding the value of the reflection can make all the difference in the world. Seeing yourself as a beauty created in His image is a great starting point anytime. You may never be in a beauty pageant, wear a crown, or have to present a curtsy before others. You may never walk across a stage or ride in a parade float. But if you place your trust and faith in Jesus you will one day walk on streets of gold and be surrounded by gates of pearl. Until then