Eighty-thousand people descending on Beckley this weekend will see a United States congressman and a West Virginia state senator jump from an airplane before a legendary country frontman takes the stage.

U.S. Congressman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) and State Sen. Mike Green (D-Raleigh) will jump with the “Golden Knights” U.S. Army Parachute Team during their Friends of Coal Auto Fair demonstration around 6 p.m. Saturday, according to information from Rahall’s office and Jim Gilchrist, CEO of the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA.

Rahall accepted the Golden Knights’ invitation to participate in the team’s jump, and he and Green will land at the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex.

“I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be invited by the Golden Knights to join them for the Friends of Coal event,” Rahall said. “It is a very special honor for me to be able to show — in a bold way — my continued support for not only coal, but for everyone who serves the people of West Virginia and our nation through their service in our armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

“...I am so pleased to welcome back the Golden Knights to Beckley and want to thank them for the work they do in service to our country and for their willingness to help the people of southern West Virginia. I’m looking forward to this with great enthusiasm and hope for a gentle landing!”

The Golden Knights are returning to southern West Virginia for the Sixth Annual Friends of Coal Auto Fair, scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Friday and last through 2 p.m. Sunday. Saturday is the event’s “big night” — with a concert headlined by former Alabama frontman Randy Owen. Local sibling trio Taylor Made will open the show again this year, and they will be followed by Abby Abbondanza, former lead singer of the country band Povertyneck Hillbillies.

Auto Fair organizers also announced Wednesday former West Virginia University quarterback Pat White will attend the auto fair, spending Friday afternoon and all day Saturday there. The Miami Dolphins drafted White during the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Former WVU Head Coach Don Nehlen and former Marshall Head Coach Bobby Pruett are also scheduled to attend.

Organizers estimate this year’s attendance will be 80,000.

“This is great voice for the mining industry,” Jack Fairchild Jr. of Fairchild International said Wednesday. “...We are doing our part to show how the mining industry gives back to the community.”

“...The people here at the YMCA are so dedicated to this. We plan for 12 months for these three days. We’re excited, but it’s sad to see it go by so fast.”

Gilchrist said the sports complex is utilized by numerous citizens — from young athletes and their families to people just wanting to take a walk. When he was a child, the grounds were basically a cliffside with mine refuse on them. With cleanup, it has become the complex that has constantly grown for six years.

He noted several WVU items like a helmet signed by 2008 players will be auctioned. On the Friends of Coal Auto Fair Web site, bids are already being taken for the helmet. Live bidding begins at 6:40 p.m. Saturday at the concert’s main stage.

Marshall fans are not being left out. A Chad Pennington jersey will also be auctioned, Gilchrist noted.

Besides the car show, events that will continue all three days include food and specialty vendors, a flea market, car corral, swap meet, children’s games, arts and crafts, live entertainment and a carnival.

Admission to the auto fair is free and tickets for the Randy Owen concert are available at Marquee Cinemas in both West Virginia and Wytheville, Va. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Children younger than 6 will be admitted for free.

Additional information about the fair — including schedules, sponsorship information, directions and general rules is available at www.friendsofcoalautofair.com.

— E-mail:

apridemore@register-herald.com