Make sure you mark your calendar for the annual Monongahfest August 18-20.

The annual event began in 1988. The first thoughts were to have a town picnic. But it blossomed into music, food, parade, car show, town-wide yard sale, tug-of-war and other games, Miner’s Run footrace … you name it.

Monongahfest president Debbie Manzo Vandetta, Class of 1973, wife of Monongah mayor Greg Vandetta, Class of 1975, has been there from Day One.

So has Monongahfest treasurer Patty Steel McCombs, a Fairmont East grad married to Monongah water expert Bill McCombs, Class of 1969.

Monongahfest vice president Roger Huffman who lived in Monongah his entire life. I was only priviledged to live there from my birth in my grandparents’ Martin & Mary Peremba Olesky’s home on Walnut Street through the Thomas Street rental (first house after Church Street) to the Church Street home (first house after Rt. 19/Camden Avenue) and my WVU School of Journalism days.

That would be 1932 till 1954 when I left for Williamson and my first post-grad job as Williamson Daily News sports editor.

Monongahfest secretary Diane Huffman Prunty is in charge of the town-wide yard sale and Miner’s Run with her husband, Michael Prunty. The yard sale begins Monongahfest events at 7 a.m. Friday, August 18 in the parking lot by the pavilion. The set-up fee is $5.

The TLC Ministries country breakfast will be 7-10 a.m. Saturday, August 19.

The Miner’s Run of 3.61 miles on the Rail Trail will begin at 8 a.m. The distance is in honor of the 361 miners who lost their lives on Dec. 6, 1907, when massive explosions ripped through the Fairmont Coal Co.’s No. 6 and 8 mines at Monongah.

Race-day registration begins at 6:30 a.m. The fee is $25 before Aug. 15 and $30 after that.

The annual pinball tournament will begin at 10 a.m. in the fire department meeting room.

The Monongest parade will at noon.

1 p.m. -- Invocation, playing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” recognition and announcement of Little Miss Monongahfest and Baby Photogenic Contest winners.

2 p.m. -- Kids Funtime.

3 p.m. -- Corn hole tournament at Murray Field ($10 entry fee).

5:30 p.m. – Music by Ronnie Burroughs’ The Gamblers band.

5:30 p.m. -- Duck race on the West Fork river.

7 p.m. -- “Flop in the Slop” tug-of-war contest (five per team). $100 to adult winning team, $50 to the children’s winning team.

8 p.m. – Music my Monongah’s #1 band,  Jenna Won’t Sing, led by teacher extraordinarie Greg Patrick.

10 p.m. -- Fireworks to end the day with a bang.

Monongahfest winds up the weekend on Sunday with the Patrick-led car show. Registration at 11 a.m., show at 1 p.m.

Crafts will be displayed in the fire hall garage under the direction of Kim Huffman, Roger’s wife.

A hot dog sale at town hall is sponsored by the Monongah Christmas Lights Committee headed by Susan Staron Sanders, the head angel of Thomas Street.

Festival information is available at the Monongahfest Facebook page. Contact phone numbers are Kim Huffman (crafts), 304-534-5872; Vandetta (Little Miss Monongahfest and Baby Photogenic), 304-534-3712; and Prunty (run and yard sale), 304-816-6378.