Events, Media, and Recognition
Old King Coal Festival
Each year West Frankfort hosts the Old King Coal Festival. This four-day event is held every May. Now coinciding with Rend Lake Festival, held in nearby Benton. Formerly the Old King Coal Festival was held in the third week of September; to pay tribute to coal miners with a parade, concerts, pageants, carnival rides and a wide variety of food.
Candy Cane Lane
West Frankfort is also home to Candy Cane Lane, a large lights display featured every year through the Christmas season. This amazing display was founded by Tim Murphy, a local art teacher. In 2019, areas of Candy Cane Lane were featured on the ABC show "The Great Christmas Light Fight". Upon Mr. Murphy's passing the Candy Cane Lane display was moved to the West Frankfort Community Park.
Frankfort Area Historical Museum
West Frankfort is home to the Frankfort Area Historical Museum, which operates in a renovated 3 story Logan Grade School. The Society features a large research library, and maintains a microfilm of U.S. Census and local newspapers.
Daily American Newspaper
West Frankfort was formerly home to the Daily American Newspaper, which operated for nearly 100 years. The newspaper was replaced by the West Frankfort Gazette, and replaced again by the Franklin County Gazette as of 2020.