The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Foundation
Preserving Appalachian Tradition. Empowering Future Leaders.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting higher education and preserving the rich traditions of the beloved Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, Kentucky.
Founded in 1991 by five visionary Festival leaders, the Foundation has proudly awarded scholarships to deserving young women competing in the Festival’s Queen and Princess courts, while also offering vital financial support to Festival operations and community needs.
🎓 Our Mission
The mission of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Foundation is twofold:
To support higher education by providing scholarships to Festival participants
To help maintain and preserve the traditions and cultural heritage of the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival
🌸 Our Roots
Founding Members:
In 1991, five men closely tied to the Pineville community and the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival came together with a shared vision: to ensure the future of the Festival and invest in the educational advancement of its participants.
- Homer Hail
- George H. Reese III
- Dan D. Stewart Jr.
- Norman Chrisman Jr.
- General Charles Beach Jr.
Three of these founding directors were also past Festival Presidents, and all were deeply committed to the Festival’s role in Appalachian tradition and community pride.
The Foundation’s first financial support to the Festival came in 1992. By 1993, 1995, and 1997, it had received major individual and corporate donations that created a strong and sustainable base for scholarship funding and Festival preservation.
💡 Our Impact
ver the past 30+ years, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Foundation has contributed more than $100,000 to:
- Provide scholarships for Queen and Princess contestants
- Support Festival logistics and programming when needed
- Contribute to Pineville High School, home to key Festival events like the Princess Coronation, Grand March, and Queen’s Ball
Each year, the Foundation ensures that the Festival remains not only a cherished tradition, but also an opportunity for young women to receive financial support for their educational goals.
👥 Our Board
The Foundation is governed by a twelve-member Board of Directors, all of whom have strong personal ties to the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. Many are current or former Festival Directors, spouses of Directors, past Festival Queens, or Festival Presidents.
This strong connection to the Festival ensures that the Foundation’s mission and values remain deeply aligned with the heart of the event it was created to support.
🏔️ Our Commitment
We are proud to be a part of one of Kentucky’s most enduring and beautiful traditions. Through scholarship support, donor partnerships, and community engagement, the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Foundation stands as a bridge between Pineville’s treasured past and the bright futures of its young women.