This is the second time since 2019 that Melanie Castro has won 1st place in the KID category for chalk drawing. ~ Photo by D’Ann Tedford.
Black Diamond’s celebration of Miners Day got off to a running start with a 5K race starting at 9 a.m. It was followed by events along Railroad Avenue that included face painting, chalk drawing, vendors, craftsmen, and a “Hysterical Society” skit performance.
Zach Hamilton shows his daughter the entry that won 1st place while Harper, age 4, was getting her face painted. Photo by D’Ann Tedford.
“When Coal Was King,” was the theme for a chalk drawing contest that drew 12 competitors from ages five to 34. First, second and third place winners in the KID category were Melanie Castro, Lily Snowball, and Hailey Sato consecutively. Mine #11, featured in Melanie’s chalk drawing, was the deepest mine in North America when it was shut down in 1927 due to its dangerous depth. The mine is located at Palmer Coking Coal on Third Avenue in Black Diamond. Adults who placed first, second and third place in the ADULT category were Zach Hamilton, age 34, Mariah Deady, 22, and Belle Walker, 16. Mariah’s artistry, attention to detail, and contrast in color revealed her expertise in winning such contests.
Simplicity in Belle Walker’s drawing, a lump of coal with a king’s crown, focuses on the theme “When Coal Was King.”
5K winners broke course-running records when McCoy Brooks and Mark Albanese timed in at 17:08 and 17:54 in the OVERALL MEN category. Steven Hall was third with 18:51. Winner in age group 9-and-under was Kieran Finn; age group 10-14 winner was Michael Hanis; age 15-19 were McCoy Brooks, Will Scarf and Cayden Kuyala; age 30-39 were Mark Albanese, Mark Schneider and Mark Groner; age 40-49 was Steven Hall; age 50-59 first, second and third place winners were Mark Groner, Chad Magendanz and Karl Chisum; age 60-69 Kent Sizer; age 70+ saw Robert Chaffeur and Ray Arrington winning 1st and 2nd.
Mariah Deady, age 22, is no stranger to winning chalk contests at Miners Day. She won second place ADULT. ~ Photo by D’Ann Tedford.
Winners in the OVERALL WOMEN category of the 5K were Laureen Landis who clocked in at 20:08, Ashley Swigert with 28:16, and Sam Deieo running 30:15. Madison Groner won age group 9-and-under; age 20-29 were Rebecca Carrilo and Kristen Bader, 1st and 2nd; age 30-39 saw Lauren Landis, Ashley Sweigert and Jaimie Thompson as winners; age 40-49 Marina Martin and Martha Chisum; age 50-59 Jill McDougall and Melissa Finn; winning age group 60-69 was Iris Von Joare.
Members of the Black Diamond Hysterical Society (from left): train conductor Keith Watson, Keystone Cop Dave Luke, criminal Shawn Oglesbee, Keystone Cop Steve Israel, and Susie Thompson performing as Dame Salina. Not pictured is announcer Zach Pratt. ~Photo by D’Ann Tedford.
Sponsors of the 5K race were Chet’s Roofing, Pearson Chiropractic, Home Care Construction, Black Bear Outpost, Roast Republic Coffee and Mancraft Graphics.
