Special to the Daily News

In honor of the 35th anniversary of the 1977 flood, a benefit concert will be held featuring local singers Jimmy Wolford and Glen Simpson at the Mountaineer Hotel on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m.

Wolford, a Williamson native and local legend, has recorded various songs through the years chronicling the historic events of the area including the ‘77 flood and an entire album dedicated to the Hatfield-McCoy Feud called “The Great Vendetta.”

In addition to his feats as a recording artist, Wolford served in the US Navy, is a former employee of the Mingo EOC and helped campaign for the likes of JFK, his brother, Robert Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.

Simpson, who was also born and raised in Williamson, is a multi-instrumentalist who has been performing in and around the area since the age of 18.

The event has been sponsored by the Mingo County Commission and organized by the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Tug Valley Arts Council, the Williamson Historical Foundation and Strong Through Our Plan (STOP).

Pictures from the flood will be on display at the event courtesy of the Tug Valley Historical Society, the WVU Extension Office and the city of Williamson and the towns of Kermit and Matewan.

Along with a photographic display of the effects of ‘the Great Flood’, a silent auction will be held featuring various items and services donated by several Mingo County businesses. Refreshments will also be provided.

All proceeds raised at the event will be donated to STOP, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing substance abuse. STOP also runs southern West Virginia’s only recovery home, Crossroads Recovery Home for Women, an eight-bed facility located in Gilbert. STOP intends on making the benefit concert an annual event.

Tickets for the event are $15 (children 5 and under admitted free) and can be purchased in advance at the Coal House in Williamson or by calling the STOP offices at (304) 664-3986.