 Appalachian Wireless is Appalachian Advantage. Unlimited text talk and two gigs of data for as low as $45 a month. Or if you like, get five lines on eight gigs of data for just $145 a month. Sea store for details. Better service, bigger savings. That's today's Appalachian Wireless and East Kentucky Network Company. Final preparations for the city of Martin's red, white and blue days were being made today as the festival officially begins this evening. Although downtown Martin is virtually gone with most of its remaining buildings boarded up, city officials say it's important to keep the festival going. We keep this festival going because we like to keep the community to come together. We like, you know, we have big crowds and a lot of people hate to see our town leave so we try to keep this going or red, white and blue for our community. We still like to keep a parade because Marcella Bailey, you know, had brought it here and this is her 48th annual and you know and she did it for the veterans and that's who we're here to honor is the veterans. Not only is the festival important to the veterans and the community of Martin, but surrounding communities as well. Like the communities over there in McDowell and not even Knot County in places like that, you know, it's hard for them to drive so far away to enjoy something, to do something nice with their kids and family fun and you know they get to come here and continue that same tradition that they may add when they were little. When you lined up to catch the candy for the parade or anything like that and that's something that I would love to continue on with my kids that we've you know we've done for the years past and hopefully we can continue doing. Jungle Gems will be having free open play times during the festival to go along with other red, white and blue days festivities for event dates and times visit Martin City Tourism on Facebook. Reporting from Martin, I'm Sean Allen for EKB news.