For the people of Coal Grove, the annual Family Fun Days is more than just a chance to hear some singing and get some food in Paul Porter Park.

It’s a reunion of sorts.

The event has been going on since 1976.

“It’s almost like a reunion for the whole community,” said Mayor Larry McDaniel. “You get to see old friends and make new friends. People take vacation time to come up and visit.”

Tara Boggs was watching her two daughters, Natalie and Madison, play on the park equipment on Tuesday afternoon.

She said they attend every year.

“Well, we live here and it’s just fun for the kids,” Boggs said. “They have a good time and they love the inflatables.”

Plus she gets to see a lot of people she knows.

“You talk to everybody and let the kids play,” she said.

McDaniel said Sunday and Monday were kind of slow, but Tuesday was picking up as it got closer to fireworks time.

“It’s going pretty well,” he said. The fireworks are launched on a hill behind Paul Porter Park and he figured the park, and everywhere else in Coal Grove, would be filled up by about 5,000 people.

“It will be elbow room only,” McDaniel predicted.

As for his favorite parts of the event, McDaniel favored the fireworks and the singers.

“They are always really good,” he said.

Family Fun Days started out as a fundraiser for the Coal Grove Betterment Club and has turned into an annual event.

Sue Triplett, president of the Coal Grove Betterment Club, said proceeds from the event go to buying things like a TASER for the police department and improving Paul Porter Park.

“I’ve really enjoyed our singers and musicians this year,” she said. “And I love watching the kids run around and play. They are having a good time and that’s what it is all about.”