The annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is the crowning jewel of local events. It is going into its 88th year — making it one of the oldest festivals in Kentucky. The festival began in 1931 by Mrs. Annie Walker Burns in commemoration for the famed explorer Thomas Walker.

Since then the festival has been providing the community with all kinds of activities that range from vendors, arts and crafts, a parade, picnics, beauty pageants and live music. The festival has also served as a way to bask in the unique beauty of Southeast Kentucky.

This year, Jacob Roan, of Main Street Pineville, will serve as the chairman of festival.

Live music is a massive part of the KMLF every year, and this year a chart-topping country artist will open the 2018 celebration.

Scott McCreery will be performing May 24 at Bell County High School. As noted on his official website, McCreery is the winner of the 10th season of American Idol. After his victory, he became the youngest male artist of any genre, as well as the first country artist ever, to have his debut album come in at No. 1 on the Billboard top 200 charts. The album, entitled “Clear As Day,” went platinum in 13 weeks. On top of this success, McCreery won “Best New Artist of the Year” at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Awards (CMT).

McCreery also released a Christmas album the following year that debuted at No. 1 on the charts. McCreery is in the thick of a massive tour, and Pineville is one stop within it.

Around 7:45 p.m. on May 24, McCreery will ring in the 2018 KMLF. The first week of sales has been the highest selling show of the KMLF. General admission is $30. Table seating is already sold out. Visit the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festivals Facebook page or their official website for more information, http://www.kmlf.org/.