Although the worries of a recession linger throughout the summer months, this year’s Friends of Coal Auto Fair positively impacted the local economy and offered residents a weekend packed with a variety of entertainment.

The sixth annual event, held as a fundraiser for the Beckley-Raleigh County YMCA’s Paul Cline Memorial Youth Sports Complex, ended on a high note Sunday, as vendors packed up and headed out of town.

Tens of thousands attended this year’s Friends of Coal Auto Fair, which featured a variety of food and specialty vendors, flea market, antique car show, swap meet, children’s games, arts and crafts, fireworks and more.

During the concert featuring local country music band Taylor Made and former Alabama lead singer Randy Owen, YMCA CEO Jim Gilchrist said the fair attracted its “largest crowd ever.”

“It was a tremendous success,” Gilchrist said. “I was a little concerned at first because of the weather, but by the time Randy Owen got on stage, the place was packed. I’ve never seen it that packed before — It was just amazing.”

Friends of Coal Auto Fair Chairman Jack Fairchild said Randy Owen delivered a “fantastic performance.”

He also said, “it was great to have Taylor Made in the concert lineup again — they’re highly requested each year.”

All the vendors who attended this year’s event seemed pleased with the turnout. Many ran out of food and reported record-breaking sales, Gilchrist said.

“I talked to a lot of them when they were packing up today, and they all said they’re coming back next year.”

For the first time ever, the 2009 auto fair offered a simulated coal mine and Burnout Alley, a competition for stock car racers.

“One of the coal companies set up the simulated coal mine to give the general public a chance to see what it’s like underground,” said Fairchild.

Another new attraction at this year’s auto fair was a coal mine rescue team competition.

Seven teams from varying coal companies assembled to compete against one another and show off their training and underground emergency response techniques.

Each of the new attractions garnered large crowds, and Gilcrest says he plans to bring them back next year.

“Every year we’re going to continue to add new things,” said Gilchrist.

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The Friends of Coal Auto Fair continues to get bigger and better each year.

Organizers have already struck a deal with the president of the Charlotte Hornets’ Car Club.

The Charlotte group will bring 125 cars to the 2010 event. They’ve already made room reservations and pre-paid, Gilchrist reported.

“That’s 125 more vehicles coming next year. The word’s getting out all across the East Coast about this show, and I think you’re going to see more and more cars coming in each year.”

Next week the Friends of Coal Auto Fair steering committee will meet to discuss plans for next year.

Platinum sponsors of the 2009 Friends of Coal Auto Fair include: Massey Energy, Walker Machinery, Fairchild International, Terex SHM, Cline Resources, Justice Family Group LLC, Ramey Ford, Riverton Coal Production Inc., Brooks Run Mining Co., WV Coal Recovery, Marshall Miller & Associates, Petroleum Products Inc.;

Nell Jean Enterprises Inc., Patience Inc., Pritchard Mining Company Inc., Eastern Arrow Corp. Inc., Coal News, Summit Resources Inc., Little General Stores, Vecellio & Grogan Inc., Eagle Coal Sales Inc./ Diamond Trucking, West Virginia Coal Association, Phillips Machine Service;

Gould’s Electric, TWP Enterprises Inc., City of Beckley, Netown Energy Inc., Kanawha Eagle Coal LLC, Delta Electric Inc., NARCO Inc., Raleigh General Hospital, Arcelor Mittal, Groovy 94.1, Beckley Newspapers, 99.5 WJLS, WOAY, 59 News, WVVA, Marquee Cinemas, Sanshell Products Inc., Empire Construction, Joy, Hometown Automotive Group and Mechel Bluestone Inc.

“This was one of the largest crowds we’ve ever had — each year it continues to grow,” Fairchild said.

“I really would like to thank the Friends of Coal, the steering committee and the Directors of the Friends of Coal Auto Fair,” Gilchrist said. “We couldn’t do it without them and all of the volunteers.”

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com