COAL GROVE — Wednesday afternoon marked the start of this year’s Coal Grove Family Fun Days at Paul Porter Park with fun for those of all ages.

Ironton singer Chris Laber kicked off the three-day event with the opening ceremony as he sang the national anthem along with the VFW Post 8850 Honor Guard before Coal Grove Mayor Larry McDaniel took the microphone to give a welcome.

“This is the 39th year of Family Fun Days. I believe it started in 1976,” McDaniel said. “The Coal Grove Betterment Club does a great job sponsoring it.”

McDaniel said Laber sings the national anthem to open Family Fun Days just about every year.

Inflatables are set up near the playground for the children to enjoy while live entertainment is performed on the stage each day. Wednesday’s lineup featured Hanna Ferguson, Southern Ground and Craig Haney.

Several local groups and churches including the Coal Grove Betterment Club, Coal Grove Athletic Boosters, Coal Grove Auxiliary, the Ironton First Nazarene Church youth group, Memorial United Methodist Church and the Ironton High School flag majorettes took advantage of the fundraising opportunity by setting up as vendors with a few professional vendors as well.

Ohio University Southern, Scentsy and Western-Southern Life Insurance also had booths set up.

Family Fun Days continues today and Friday with live entertainment from 4-10 p.m. A large fireworks display will close out the event beginning at 10 p.m. Friday.