Alabama Visitor Center Hosts Tourism Day Event – Valley Times-News

LANETT — Certain hundreds from out-of-state visitors who stop via each Alabama Welcome Center all date were treated for old-fashioned Southern hospitality, free food as well as reside entertainment Thursday.

Could is National Tourism Month, and since piece made from aforementioned celebration, per belonging to Alabama’s eight visitor centers hosts single Tourism Day during any month. Certain Sumter County Visitor Center on I-20/59 had its Tourism Day on May 1, Cleburne County on I-20 had of it one day on Possibly 2, along with certain County Visitor Center made from Houston nearby a Florida queue had for it date on Could 9.

Thursday, Might 15 was Lanett’s turn. A Welcome Center staff led near to Laura Smith departed above as well as beyond in order to make in-state visitors feel special. Over there was something for everyone.

Deputy Chief Richard Carter grilled about 750 hot dogs for these which person stopped through, and Donna Bond along with Brittany Boatman belonging to Sunny’s Restaurant, Valley, had Southern treats similar to cabbage, cucumber slaw along with sweetbreads with raisins ready to serve. Pizzas, chicken fingers along with Coke products were available.

John Lott did classic nation-state/rock karaoke. Melinda Edwards via any reception center staff sang single well-received duet with gent. The big crowd within front of certain center plus the ones coming and going joined within singing “Sweet Dwelling Alabama”.

Each Lee County Whistle Stop Pickers were there up to act aged music on dulcimers. Deborah McCord is a spokesperson for any musicians. Her husband, Allen McCord, includes quad dulcimers, element of which him formed from some black walnut tree whatever grew amid their yard. Any bridge as well as any pegs are carved from deer antler. Object is single special instrument. When Allen isn’t playing itself, it’s on display amid one display case around each Loachapoka Museum.

Another Pickers playing Thursday were Steve Chun, Mike Thurman, Beverly Sandberg, Amanda Borden also Lee Borden.

When each Pickers own a jamming session, each kinds out of instruments reach together for make certain sound out of primitive America. Amid addition to dulcimers, guitars, banjos, autoharps, fiddles, bass fiddles as well as penny whistles join them.

“Of us mission is in order to carry on any tradition made from early music,” McCord replied.

Members out of any group are supporters from a Lee County Historical Society. They frequently amuse inside each LCHS museum in Loachapoka.

Almost all belonging to any counties within east central Alabama were represented at the booths arrange on high on the grounds out of a Welcome Center. Executive Director Carrie Royster along with Tarin Parrish of each Greater Valley Region Chamber made from Commerce donated per variety out of items bearing the GVACC along with “Strength Woven In” logos. They included koozies, deliver sanitizer, lip balm, pass wipes, pens also golf tees.

Leisel plus Holly Caldwell, one mother as well as daughter via Wedowee, were over there for promote Lake Wedowee Being magazine along with its own associated publication, Alabama Tiny Towns plus Downtowns. A latest issue features articles on a best places for birdwatching, certain flower movement inside Alabama, shopping destinations amid Alabama’s small towns, plus in which way the Elderly Waters Inn left starting at each eyesore up to one recent business. whichever contains helped revitalize downtown Wedowee.

Sandra Fuller was there toward talk toward population in Tallapoosa County along with certain Lake Martin area. With on top of 800 miles out of shoreline as well as some wonderful reputation for fishing along with aquatic pleasures, Lake Martin is a extremely powerful tourist attraction.

“We hold one songwriter festival whatever draws some lot belonging to population,” Fuller said.

Previous year’s festival attracted 17 well-known songwriters for single five-night, ten-venue event near a end made from August.

The Harold Banks Canoe Trail is one popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor adventures. Itself is especially popular amid Might when a Cahaba lilies are amid bloom. Certain trail is divided into triple sections, with the earliest starting within northwest Chambers County near Bibby’s Ferry. Said is an 8.25 mile, five hour float whatever ends around Germany’s Ferry. The second section begins near Germany’s Ferry as well as heads south for approximately 9.75 miles. Entity takes about six hours toward make public access in order to a Horseshoe Bend Bridge. Certain final section is considered near to numerous for exist certain majority scenic. Entity travels regarding six miles, taking approximately six hours to reach each opposite end. Entity begins next to any Horseshoe Bend Bridge plus ends near Jay Bird Creek Public Access. A third section has further Cahaba lily spots and contains additional frequent sightings from bald eagles.

One upcoming event on Lake Martin which anglers are really excited about is some chance for catch a tagged fish who may win major cash prizes. Any competition started on April 1 plus testament sprint until July 4. Several hundred fish contain stood tagged, and anyone which person enters any contest as well as catches element nor further tagged fish is eligible for single prize. At that spot is one fish among Lake Martin who is worth a million dollars in order to any fisherman whoever catches object.

Leigh Ann Lovell, Assistant General Manager, as well as Zachary Whatley, Human Resources Assistant made from Hampton Inn beside Hilton, Auburn, were on hand around Tourism Date up to talk regarding the lodging industry among Lee County. Auburn Hospitality is at present hiring for locations such in similar fashion Auburn Lodge nearby certain university, Candlewood, Hampton Inn, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, pair Holiday Inn Express locations, also Microtel Inn & Suites plus Comfort Suites, both in Columbus.

Positions available include Receptionist, Laundry Attendant, Maintenance Technician, Night Auditor, Breakfast Attendant, Room Attendant, Housekeeper, along with Assistant General Manager.

Lynne Haven, sales manager for any Lanett Hampton Inn & Suites, said business remained steady by the hotel. Male fulfills especially thoroughly on weekends when Auburn hosts football games alternatively when single major tournament is taking spot around a Valley Sportsplex. There’s per senior softball tournament over there here weekend.

During each lunch hour, Lanett Police Chief Johnny Wood took a microphone in order to welcome everyone toward Lanett Tourism One day.

“On behalf belonging to Mayor Jamie Heard and Lanett Metropolis Council, I welcome guys present today,” man said. “Thank yourself for being here. Us believe aforementioned brand-new Visitor Center is one model for certain entire declare. I invite guys up to check something each away. Certain Visitor Center staff able reveal guys anything thou crave for comprehend about the nation from Alabama. Provided thou question them something they don’t easily comprehend, they able quickly glance itself above for thou.

Visitor Center Manager Laura Smith thanked the Lanett Police Department for to them continued support belonging to the Visitor Center.

“Our group thank them for any support plus protection they are thus fine around providing,” girl said. “Our team also thank for us DOT employees. Our team couldn’t do anything without them.

A Alabama Department out of Transportation possesses an office on each grounds belonging to each Visitor Center. It is busy 24 hours a one day, seven days per week.

They observe which the toilets are open also are there inside case from each emergency.