Discover Fleming-Neon

Fleming-Neon is one of Letcher County’s valley communities and lies at an elevation of about 1,300 feet. The headwaters of the North Fork Kentucky River in the Eastern Kentucky Coal Field are characterized by mountainous terrain and a largely forested, rural landscape. The municipal water systems connect Fleming-Neon to this regional context. This brings two scales together: the community’s location in the valley and the character of the wider landscape region. When planning your trip, this distinction helps you place the community within the county and at the same time understand its broader regional setting.

History and Local Connections

The present-day city of Fleming-Neon was formed in 1978 by the merger of the two communities of Fleming and Neon. Neon developed as a trading center for the surrounding coal-mining settlements. People came together there to shop, trade, socialize and take care of local matters. Its role went beyond the exchange of goods: Neon was also a place for social gatherings and local affairs. The merger explains how the present-day city came about; the trading function, by contrast, describes Neon’s role in the everyday lives of the surrounding settlements. A hearing in Fleming-Neon was the focal point of Kennedy’s visit.

The Neon Lights Center is located in Fleming-Neon and is a restored building. The Letcher County Coal Miners Memorial is next to the Hemphill Community Center at 2514 Hwy 317 in Neon, Kentucky. For orientation, distinguish between the locations: the memorial is in Neon, while the Neon Lights Center is in Fleming-Neon. This helps you tell the two named places apart when planning your trip.

Events and Dates

“Friday Nite Pickin’,” featuring music, dancing and food, takes place every Friday evening at the Hemphill Community Center. If you’d like to include the evening in your travel plans, keep Friday in mind and check the current schedule before you arrive.

The 2024 Neon Days Festival on Main Street in Neon featured food, music, games, prizes and a parade. Its timing differs from that of Friday Nite Pickin’: the Friday evening is part of a recurring schedule, while the festival program refers to 2024. The activities also differ: Friday Nite Pickin’ combines music and dancing with food, while the festival also included games, prizes and a parade.

The Fleming-Neon Walking Trail

The Fleming-Neon Walking Trail is a paved path designated for walking. Its surface and designated purpose are two specific features to consider when planning an outdoor activity. Check the trail’s current condition and access before visiting. Unlike the events, practical planning here depends not on an evening schedule but on conditions at the trail.

Discover more destinations: Hallie.

Go to the main travel overview: Letcher.