Each year, a Dunmore man and woman are crowned King and Queen for the three-day summer celebration, Dunmore Daze.
Don and Manota Hively will reign over the festival this year.

Life-long residents of the county, Manota was “tickled” to hear she and her husband were selected.

“I think it’s wonderful, it’s an honor,” she said. “My mother, Ida Carpenter, was queen in 2007, so it’s an honor to follow in her footsteps.”

Manota was born and raised in Dunmore, while Don was from the “Hill Country,” near Pocahontas County High School. The couple met at a Bible school held at the Presbyterian Church. Since Don was eight years older, the two weren’t in school together.

When Manota was 17, the couple married and settled in Dunmore. Two children and 56 years later, the couple are still celebrating their happily ever after.

Son, Curtis, lives in Green Bank and is employed at Snowshoe Mountain Resort and daughter, Nida Dawn, is the head of the nursing department at North Carolina State University.

Having a 56-year marriage may make people think you have the secret to a healthy relationship, but Manota said there isn’t a secret, it’s simple.

“Don is a good man and he’s a hard worker,” she said. “He’s my best friend.”

Don and Manota will receive their crowns August 20, the beginning of the three-day event.