LC TOURISM COMMISSION ADDS KATE CECIL TO BOARD
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission had a Regular Meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 5:30PM at the Fred M Vinson Museum, Second Floor, 315 Madison Street, Louisa, Kentucky.
Lawrence County Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with the Tourism Board members including Kate Cecil, Brenda Hardwick, Susie Chambers, Chris Jobe and Christy Moore. Johnda Barker was also in attendance.
NEW MEMBER ADDED TO TOURISM BOARD
The LC Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore announced that Kate Cecil will be the newest Member of the Tourism Board. Cecil is from Louisa, Kentucky and teaches 5th grade in the Lawrence County School System. Cecil has been on the IT Committee for LC Tourism and that will continue.
EASTER EGG HUNTS AT FALLSBURG AND LOUISA
There was discussion amongst the Tourism Board about the wonderful Easter Egg Hunt in Fallsburg and Louisa. The kids had fun finding Easter Eggs and we had a great turnout and it grows every year. There were 170 kids participating in the Easter Egg Hunts,
MINUTES TO APPROVE FOR MARCH MEETING
The Minutes from the March Meeting were unanimously approved with a Motion by Brenda Hardwick and seconded by Christy Moore.
APPROVAL OF MARCH FINANCIAL REPORT
The March Financial Report was unanimously passed with a Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Christy Moore.
Also, Brenda Hardwick is scaling back on her job duties. Hardwick is the LC Tourism Treasurer but will be handing that position over to Kate Cecil. Motion to make Kate Cecil the Treasurer of Tourism was approved unanimously by Wes Kingsmore and seconded by Susie Chambers.
Also, the Board voted to add Kate Cecil and Chris Jobe to the signature card at the bank. Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Christy Moore.
COMMUNITY BIKE RIDE
The Community Bike Ride event was the idea of Mark and Tina Jackson of Louisa, Kentucky. There will be a Bike Ride on May 9, 2026 at the Main Street Park. The Tourism Board is covering the expenses on a Porta-Pot for this event. Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Kate Cecil. None Opposed.
BURGER WEEK
Burger Week is coming soon to the Lawrence County areas. This event will start on June 19, 2026 and will continue through July 4. There was discussion amongst the Board on the restaurants that will participate.
FOOTLOOSE PROMOTION AT THE GARDEN THEATER
The Garden Theater will have a show on Footloose. The show Footloose will be on May 15, 2026 starting at 6PM. Before the show at 7PM there will be free music from a band to coincide with Footloose.
DERBY DAY HORSE SHOW
This event has been cancelled.
AUTISM 5K HOSA
There will be a 5K Run/walk Autism Event and the Board decided to approve a donation for this event. The donation was for $100. Motion by Christy Moore and seconded by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
5K/CAR SHOW FUNDRAISER
The Board discussed a donation for the 5K/Car Show. The decision was made to donate $500 for this event. $250 for 5K and $250 for Car Show. Motion by Kate Cecil and seconded by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
BRIDGE DAY
The Board discussed the event but made no decisions.
Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Kate Cecil.
- Opening Prayer
- Call to Order
- Special Guests – None
Old Business
- Easter Egg Hunts at Fallsburg and Louisa – Discussion
- Minutes to Approve for March Meeting – Motion by Brenda Hardwick and 2nd by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
- Approval of March Financial Report – Motion by Susie Chambers 2nd by Christy Moore.
New Business
- Community Bike Ride – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Kate Cecil. One Opposed.
- Burger Week – Discussion
- Footloose promotion at the Theater – Discussion
- Derby Day Horse Show – This event has been cancelled.
- Autism 5K HOSA – Motion by Christy Moore and 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
- 5K-Car show fundraiser – Motion by Kate Cecil and 2nd by Susie Chambers. None opposed.
- Bridge Day – Discussion
- Audience Comments – None
- Adjourn – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Kate Cecil.
ADJOURN
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The next Regular Scheduled Meeting will be held on Monday May 18, 2026 at 5:30PM at the Fred.
Lawrence County Tourism Minutes, March 16, 2026
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism Office. Members attending were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Thomas Bradley, Christy Moore, Brenda Hardwick, Debbie Hill and Susie Chambers. Kate Cecil was also in attendance representing the IT committee.
Wes called the meeting to order and offered the opening prayer.
Under old business Wes reported that the KTIA meeting went well as did the Knoxville travel show. Unfortunately we were unable to organize the Muddy March Run this year.
The February minutes were presented to the board and a motion was made by Brenda to approve. A second motion was made by Christy and all were in favor. The financial report showed us with a balance of $19,473.19. A motion was made by Susie to approve with a second by Debbie. All in favor.
New business: 1) Motion by Susie with a second by Brenda to donate $500 for the Community Ray of Hope Easter Egg Hunt. All in favor. 2)
Motion by Christy with a second by Brenda for $500 for the Fallsburg Fire Department Easter Egg Hunt. All in favor. 3) Motion by Tom with a second by Susie to sponsor Fallsburg’s 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at a cost of $300. All in favor. 4) Motion to purchase 1/2 page ad at $275 in the 606 magazine made by Tom with a second by Christy. All in favor. 5) Plans are being made to have a Derby Party at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in conjunction with the horse show on May 2nd. We voted to spend up to 1,000 on this event. Motion made by Tom with a second by Brenda. All in favor. 6) With a motion by Susie and a second by Christy we donated $500 for the Shop Hop quilt event. All in favor. 7) With a motion by Debbie and a second by Susie we agreed to a $500 donation for The Casting for Kids event. All in favor. 8) We also voted for $500 to go to the MOMO Theatre with a motion by Tom and a second by Brenda. All in favor.
With no further business to come before the board a motion to adjourn was made by Debbie with a second by Susie. All in favor.
