CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN JULY? Tourism board votes ‘yes’

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN JULY? …

By Susan Salyer

The Lawrence County Tourism Regular Scheduled Meeting was on Monday, July 15, 2024 at the Fred M. Vinson Building, 2nd Floor, 315 East Madison Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230 at 5:30PM. LC Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with Brenda Hardwick, Susie Chambers, Debbie Hill Thomas Bradley and Chris Jobe. Christy Moore was absent. Also in attendance were Vince Doty and Janie Kegley Marcum.

LAWRENCE COUNTY FAIR
Preparations are coming along great for the 2024 Lawrence County Fair according to Fair Board Members. Some tourism board members discussed the lack of publicity this year about the Fair, which promises to be bigger and better than ever in 2024. It opens this Saturday, July 20 with the annual beauty pageant, a pickle ball tourney and MX races. The Fairgrounds will be open Thursday, July 25 and close with a bang up King Bros. rodeo and concert Saturday night July 27 after a day loaded with events leading up to the rodeo.

All information about the Lawrence County Fair can be found on the website at lawrencecountyfairlouisaky.com

FALLSBURG FESTIVAL
Chris Jobe stated the Fallsburg Festival will be on Saturday August 3, 2024 in Fallsburg, Kentucky from 9AM to 9PM. Everyone is Welcome. The LC Tourism Commission made a donation of $500 to the Fallsburg Festival. The Motion was made by Susie Chambers 2nd by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.

LOUISA CITY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Mayor of Louisa Harold Slone was unable to attend the LC Tourism Meeting but the Tourism Commission donated $3000 to the City of Louisa for Christmas Lights, anyway. Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed. The City of Louisa has $7,000 set aside for the lights so we can enjoy $10,000 worth of New Christmas lights this year in Louisa. The hot news is talking about Christmas lights during a heat wave in the middle of July.

INVITED GUEST BY WES KINGSMORE

Commission president Wes Kingsmore introduced Janie Kegley, a local events coordinator and wedding planner who is volunteering her time with the board. “Janie has volunteered her time to help out with Louisa/Lawrence County Tourism any way she can,” Kingsmore said. “We are thrilled to have Janie and her multiple talents to serve as a non voting member of the committee.”

AGENDA
1. Opening Prayer
2. Call to Order
3. Special Guests – None
Old Business
4. Approval of June 2024 Minutes – Motion by Brenda Hardwick 2nd by Thomas Bradley. None Opposed.
5. Approval of June 2024 Financial Report – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
New Business
6. Lawrence County Fair (July 26-27) Go to lawrencecountyfairlouisaky.com
7. Fallsburg Festival in August 3 (replaces music in the park) Chris Jobe – Motion to donate $500 by Susie Chambers 2nd by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
8. Louisa City-Harold Slone (Christmas lights) LC Tourism donated $3000 to City of Louisa for Christmas lights. Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
9. Public Comments – None
10. Adjourn – Motion by Debbie Hill 2nd by Chris Jobe.

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The next Regular Scheduled Tourism Meeting will be held on Monday August 20, 2024 at 5:30PM.

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Lawrence County Tourism Meeting, June 17, 2024
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary

The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, June 17th, 2024 at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course Pro Shop at 5:30 pm. Our meeting was scheduled at this location due to the Hike the Golf Course event occurring at 6:30 pm. Members in attendance were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Chris Jobe, Brenda Hardwick, Christy Moore, Tom Bradley, Debbie Fill and Susie Chambers. Susan Salyer from the Levisa Lazer also attended.

The meeting was called to order by Wes and he also gave the opening prayer. The June 3rd special meeting minutes were approved with a motion by Brenda and a second by Tom. All in favor. The treasurers report was presented showing a balance of $17,209.83 as of May 31,2024. Susie made a motion to accept the report with a second by Tom. All in favor.

Under old business Christy reported that she had checked on a tent and tablecloth. With a motion by Brenda and a second by Debbie we voted to spend up to $2,000.00 to purchase these items. All in favor.

Moving on to new business Wes gave us the date of June 27th for Bridge Day. This will start at 6:00 pm and we’re hoping the community will come out and join us. Burger Days will start on June 28th and end on July 13th. On July 4th there will be a Bluegrass show, parade at 5 pm and fireworks at 10 pm. Our SOAR concert is coming up on the 12th and 13th of July. Wes has gotten permission from the LC Board of Education to use school buses for transporting concert goers to and from parking areas. At the LC Fair we will be providing water. We will possibly sell it or maybe just give it away. We want to help with the Fallsburg Festival on August 3rd in some way. June 29th is National Fred Day. We may do something small to celebrate this day. With a motion by Susie and a second by Christy we voted to donate $500.00 to the annual Quilt Shop Hop. All in favor. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.