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

LANETT — The hundreds belonging to out-of-state visitors who stop by the Alabama Welcome Center apiece one day were treated toward old-fashioned Southern hospitality, free food and reside entertainment Thursday.

Could is National Tourism Month, along with as piece out of said celebration, each of Alabama’s eight visitor centers hosts one Tourism One day during a month. A Sumter County Visitor Center on I-20/59 had for it Tourism Day on May 1, Cleburne County on I-20 had belonging to it one day on Perhaps 2, also any County Visitor Center of Houston nearby certain Florida queue had its one day on Could 9.

Thursday, Could 15 was Lanett’s turn. Certain Welcome Center staff led via Laura Smith set out above also beyond in order to make in-state visitors feel special. There was something for everyone.

Deputy Chief Richard Carter grilled regarding 750 hot dogs for those whoever stopped by, also Donna Bond also Brittany Boatman from Sunny’s Restaurant, Valley, had Southern treats resemble cabbage, cucumber slaw as well as sweetbreads with raisins ready toward serve. Pizzas, chicken fingers plus Coke products were available.

John Lott did classic nation-state/rock karaoke. Melinda Edwards starting at the reception center staff sang one well-received duet with guy. Any large crowd within front belonging to the center along with the aforementioned coming and going joined amid singing “Sweet Residence Alabama”.

Each Lee County Whistle Stop Pickers were yonder in order to act aged music on dulcimers. Deborah McCord is any spokesperson for any musicians. Woman husband, Allen McCord, possesses tetrad dulcimers, individual of whichever man built via single black walnut tree which grew amid to them yard. Each bridge as well as the pegs are carved out of deer antler. Object is single special instrument. When Allen isn’t playing object, it’s on display among one display case at a Loachapoka Museum.

Additional Pickers playing Thursday were Steve Chun, Mike Thurman, Beverly Sandberg, Amanda Borden and Lee Borden.

When certain Pickers own some jamming session, each kinds out of instruments arrive together in order to make each sound made from primitive America. Inside addition up to dulcimers, guitars, banjos, autoharps, fiddles, bass fiddles plus penny whistles join them.

“For us mission is up to carry on each tradition made from early music,” McCord mentioned.

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

Bulk out of a counties inside east central Alabama were represented near any booths arrange skyward on any grounds belonging to a Welcome Center. Executive Director Carrie Royster plus Tarin Parrish belonging to a Greater Valley Region Chamber of Commerce donated a variety of items bearing each GVACC and “Strength Woven In” logos. They included koozies, hand sanitizer, lip balm, palm wipes, pens as well as golf tees.

Leisel and Holly Caldwell, a mother as well as daughter out of Wedowee, were in that place in order to promote Lake Wedowee Life magazine and for it associated publication, Alabama Petite Towns along with Downtowns. The latest issue features articles on a best places for birdwatching, certain flower movement amid Alabama, shopping destinations inside Alabama’s compact towns, also in which way a Aged Waters Inn traveled from a eyesore toward single recent business. whichever contains helped revitalize downtown Wedowee.

Sandra Fuller was at that spot up to talk for population in Tallapoosa County as well as any Lake Martin area. With over 800 miles out of shoreline along with some great reputation for fishing and aquatic pleasures, Lake Martin is some very powerful tourist attraction.

“Our group contain some songwriter festival who draws one lot belonging to individuals,” Fuller stated.

Previous year’s festival attracted 17 well-known songwriters for one five-night, ten-venue event at each finish out of August.

Each Harold Banks Canoe Trail is per popular destination for the aforementioned which person enjoy outdoor adventures. Entity is especially popular in Possibly when the Cahaba lilies are within bloom. The trail is divided inward trio sections, with any primary starting within northwest Chambers County next to Bibby’s Ferry. This is a 8.25 mile, five hour float which ends next to Germany’s Ferry. Certain split second section begins by Germany’s Ferry plus heads south for approximately 9.75 miles. Something takes about six hours in order to make public access for any Horseshoe Bend Bridge. Certain final section is considered by multiple to seem any majority scenic. Itself travels about six miles, taking around six hours up to reach each opposite stop. Something begins next to any Horseshoe Bend Bridge as well as ends next to Jay Bird Creek Public Access. Any third section has greater Cahaba lily spots along with owns greater frequent sightings belonging to bald eagles.

Single upcoming event on Lake Martin such anglers are really excited approximately is some chance to catch some tagged fish whatever be able to win major cash prizes. A competition started on April 1 also will jog until July 4. Several hundred fish own been tagged, and anyone whom enters any contest as well as catches unit or further tagged fish is eligible for one prize. Over there is a fish in Lake Martin such is worth one million dollars toward any fisherman whoever catches itself.

Leigh Ann Lovell, Assistant General Manager, along with Zachary Whatley, Human Resources Assistant from Hampton Inn via Hilton, Auburn, were on palm by Tourism 24 hours up to talk around any lodging industry within Lee County. Auburn Hospitality is these days hiring for locations similar in similar fashion Auburn Lodge near each university, Candlewood, Hampton Inn, LaQuinta Inn & Suites, two Holiday Inn Express locations, plus Microtel Inn & Suites as well as Comfort Suites, both amid Columbus.

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

Lynne Haven, sales manager for a Lanett Hampton Inn & Suites, stated business remained steady near each hotel. Him does especially properly on weekends when Auburn hosts football games alternatively when single major tournament is taking location by certain Valley Sportsplex. There’s per senior softball tournament in that place this weekend.

During each lunch hour, Lanett Police Chief Johnny Wood took any microphone for welcome everyone for Lanett Tourism Twenty-four hours.

“On behalf from Mayor Jamie Heard along with Lanett Urban area Council, I welcome you present today,” gentleman replied. “Thank you for being right here. Our team believe this fresh Visitor Center is a model for each entire condition. I invite y'all in order to check something whole out. A Visitor Center staff may advise guys anything yourself wish for for understand about each condition belonging to Alabama. If guys request them something they don’t easily realize, they be able to quickly gaze something up for you.

Visitor Center Manager Laura Smith thanked each Lanett Police Department for belonging to them continued support out of a Visitor Center.

“Ourselves thank them for each support along with protection they are accordingly good at providing,” gal stated. “Ourselves as well thank for us DOT employees. Us couldn’t execute anything without them.

A Alabama Department made from Transportation owns each office on certain grounds out of a Visitor Center. Object is busy 24 hours per day, seven days single week.

They see whatever any toilets are open also are in that place in case from one emergency.