The LC Tourism Committee at the Regular Monthly Meeting at the Fred M. Vinson Museum, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky on September 18, 2023. Seated L-R are Debbie Hill and Susie Chambers. Standing L-R Brenda Hardwick, Wes Kingsmore, Chris Jobe and Christy Moore.
LC TOURISM CELEBRATES NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY…Thanks to Wes Kingsmore
By Susan Salyer
LOUISA, Ky. — The Lawrence County Tourism Regular Monthly Meeting was held on Monday, September 18, 2023 at the Fred M Vinson Museum, 315 E Madison Street, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky at 5:30 PM
LC Tourism Chairman Wes Kingsmore was in attendance with grilled burgers and all the fixins to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with the LC Tourism Committee.
Neither Special Guest, local architect Thomas Bradley or county attorney Johnny Osborne could attend the Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting and made arrangements to attend at another date.
Kingsmore said he will be attending the AmericanaFest this week September 19 – 23 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. Each year, AMERICANAFEST brings together legendary artists, as well as the next generation of rising stars, fans, and industry professionals for multiple days of music and education. Kingsmore will be representing Lawrence County, Kentucky which has been nominated for awards for the Septemberfest and Fallsburg Summer Stage held each year.
Kingsmore discussed the Paula Nye Grant and the ARPA Grant to the Tourism Committee. Kingsmore sent a letter to the Paula Nye Memorial Bicycle-Pedestrian Education Grant Association discussing the LC Tourism plans for 2024 since no good dates could be found to have this event in 2023. This grant gives the LC Tourism 2 years to spend the grant. This is a copy of the letter sent to Paula Nye Grant Association.
The ARPA Grant also gives the LC Tourism Committee 2 years to spend the Grant. Tourism received $40,000 to spend on advertising billboards, etc. Kingsmore said, “We have spent $17,000 so far and will make plans for a Special Meeting for the LC Tourism Committee to discuss how to spend the remaining Grant.”
There was discussion by the LC Tourism Committee about the 5K/Turkey Trot Events. The 5K was Sponsored by GOLD including Lawrence County Tourism, In Kind, TCT, TRMC, Louisa Rotary, Don Hillman, Tri-Span Construction, ARC, Lester Dentistry. SILVER Sponsor was Kentucky Farm Bureau. The BRONZE Sponsors included Louisa Drug, Jodi Parsley, Lawrence County Gas, Young Funeral Home and Wellman Hardware.
Total Sponsorship – $ 1,750
Walk Up Entry Fee – $ 650
Total – $ 2,575
Expenses – $ 968.08
Total Profits – $ 1,406.92
Septemberfest committee cut to be determined based on needs.
Special Thanks to Tourism Commission for supporting and especially Susie Chambers for scrounging up already tapped out businesses to support financially!!!!
And
Christy Moore
Shelia Pack
Allison Arbaugh
For helping it all come together!
The Turkey Trot was discussed by the Tourism Committee. The Committee planned to order t-shirts for this event.
Next the Committee discussed the Storybook Trail/Hiking Events which will be ready and opened on November 17, 2023. The Health Department, Chris Jobe and Vince Doty have spent a great deal of time working on this project with the LC Tourism Committee. The “Bird House Trail” will be 1 mile long, 1/2 mile hike in and 1/2 mile hike back out.
The LC Tourism Committee discussed Campers Appreciation Event. Kingsmore said, “We need ideas such as t-shirts, decals or treat bags for the Campers.”
The Tourism Committee discussed ‘Rocktober’ and idea from Ralph Wellman at last month’s Tourism Meeting. The rocks have been taken by Christy Moore to the LCHS Art Teacher and Students to paint. Once painted, the rocks will be placed strategically around Lawrence County for any persons to find and take to Brenda Hardwick at The Big Sandy News office for a gift. For further information go to www.visitlcky.com
The ‘Harvest Tour’ has been planned by the LC Tourism Community. There will be 4 Lawrence County locations. Savage Farms, Bakers Chapel, Grace Chapel and Farmhouse Memories will be included in the Harvest Tour 2023. The schedule for the ‘Harvest Fest’ is being printed up and will be distributed once it’s completed. There will be 4 locations available in Boyd County on the Harvest Tour.
The Harvest Moon Gala Event will be on September 28, 2023. (SEE BELOW)
The budget meeting for the LC Tourism Committee has been set for October 9, 2023 at 5:30PM at the Fred M Vinson Museum, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky. Also Chairman Wes Kingsmore told the committee that they will need to nominate someone for the LC Tourism Board due to Keith Chaffin’s resignation at the budget meeting.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer
2. Call to Order
3. Special Guests- Tom Bradley and Johnny Osborne (Neither Special Guest could attend the Meeting.)
Old Business
1. Approval of August 2023 Minutes – (Susie Chambers, Secretary) – Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Brenda Hardwick.
2. Approval of August 2023 Financial Report- (Brenda Hardwick, Treasurer) – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Debbie Hill.
New Business
1. AmericanaFest 2023 – Chairman Wes Kingsmore will be attending and the LC Tourism will be covering his hotel stay. Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Debbie Hill.
2. Grant Updates – Discussion by Wes Kingsmore and LC Tourism Committee.
3. 5K update/Turkey Trot – Discussion by LC Tourism Committee.
4. Storybook Trail/Hiking – Discussed by LC Tourism Committee.
5. Campers Appreciation – Discussion by Wes Kingsmore.
6. Rocktober Plans – Discussion over rocks being painted, Christy Moore will take rocks to LCHS Art Class to be painted then return back to LC Tourism to be placed around Lawrence County by the Tourism Committee.
7. Harvest Tour/Gala Update – All preparations have been made by the LC Tourism for the Harvest Tour. Schedules for the event will be distributed one the schedule is completed. The Gala Update includes the LC Tourism deciding to purchase a table for the event. Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Christy Moore.
8. Set Budget Planning Meeting date/time – October 9, 2023 at 5:30 PM at the Fred M Vinson Museum, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky
9. Public Comments and Adjourn – No Comments. Motion to Adjourn by Chris Jobe 2nd by Brenda Hardwick.
###
Lawrence County Tourism Minutes, August 21, 2023
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, August 21, 2023 at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office at 5:30 pm. Members in attendance were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Brenda Hardwick, Keith Chaffin, Chris Jobe, Christy Moore and Susie Chambers. Also in attendance were Ralph Wellman, Amanda Short, Kevin Wilson, Asst. County Judge Vince Doty and Mayor Harold Slone.
Under old business the Louisa City Pool 50th year celebration went great and there was a real good crowd attending. The Lawrence County Fair was a huge success and well attended. At open mic night at the city park we had probably our best crowd of 3rd Thursday events. The Country Highway Tribute shows went well and our tourism board had a member present at each of the 3 events. We are awaiting a date to have the bird houses set for the Storybook Trail. EHN will have a booth at the state fair and we will be a part of that. Wes will be there
Thursday- Saturday.
The July 2023 minutes were approved with a motion by Keith and a second by Brenda. All in favor. With a motion by Susie and a second by Christy we approved the financial report that showed a balance of $1,158.79. All in favor.
Under new business we will be hosting the Septemberfest 5K on September 9th. We will need sponsors to cover the cost of t-shirts for participants. The Harvest Moon Gala is on September 28th. We will promote this dinner. Heritage Harvest Tour is scheduled for September 30th. This year it will be in Lawrence and Boyd counties as it was before. Fright Nights at the Lawrence County Wilderness Park will be every weekend in October. Wes made a motion and Keith a second to discuss this further in September. We hope to have another Cruise-In sometime in September or Oct.
Kevin Wilson has agreed to help with our Motor Sports events. His help is appreciated. Ralph Wellman presented us with an idea of his. He donated rocks for us to paint and use for an event called Rocktoberfest. Amanda Short would like sponsors to just provide a space where she can promote her Damsel in Distress business. Her focus is on safety awareness. September is Realty Safety Month. Dog Days event is on Saturday, September 26th at the marina.
With no further business a motion was made by Susie and a second by Chris to adjourn.
Our next regular monthly meeting will be on Monday, September 18th, 2023 at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office.
###
###
The next LC Tourism Monthly Scheduled Meeting will be on Monday October 16, 2023 at the Fred M Vinson Museum, Downtown 2nd Floor, Louisa, Kentucky at 5:30PM.
###
Congratulations to Clifford and Tamyra New, they are expecting their First Child!
