By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission had a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 5:30PM at the Fred M. Vinson Museum, 315 E. Madison Street, Louisa, Kentucky 41230. LC Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with the members including Brenda Hardwick, Debbie Hill, Susie Chambers, Chris Jobe and Christy Moore and Kate Cecil.
EHN REGIONAL MEET UPDATE
The Eastern Regional Meet was at LC Wilderness Park and was catered chicken wraps by Masterpiece Cafe. Surrounding counties in our region met to discuss ways to promote tourism and boost our economy.
FILM FESTIVAL AT GARDEN THEATER
Kingsmore attended the Film Festival at the Garden Theater. He was happy with the turnout. One of the winners of the film festival was Rob McNurlin with his film called “From the Cowboys Boot Heel”. The festival gives Louisa Tourism exposure and networking.
MINUTES
The Minutes from the May Regular Meeting were unanimously approved with a Motion from Chris Jobe and Seconded by Brenda Hardwick.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The May Financial Report was approved with a Motion from Susie Chambers and seconded by Debbie Hill. None Opposed.
OPEN MIC AT GARDEN THEATER
The Open Mic Event was at the Garden Theater. Kingsmore said, “Tourism provided ice cream for the customers while we all listened to Conner Dale & Rachel.” The Tourism Commission decided to pay Conner Dale and Rachel $150.00 for the day. Motion by Chris Jobe seconded by Christy Moore.
PLAYS FROM MOUNTAIN MOVERS PAST AND PRESENT
The Tourism Commission reminisced about past and present plays from the Garden Theater. Peter Pan and 101 Dalmatians come to mind. The Theater brings people in, good ticket sales. (See Tourism website for details)
KENTUCKY STATE FAIR
The Kentucky State Fair will be held August 14-24, 2025. Kingsmore will be attending on August 21-22, 2025 and donate time to stay in a booth and hand out flyers on behalf of Lawrence County Tourism. The Commission made a Motion to cover one of the nights stay for Kingsmore. Motion made by Chris Jobe and seconded by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
SEPTEMBERFEST FESTIVAL
Septemberfest will be September 5-6, 2025. There is a big lineup for Music, Events and Entertainment. (See Lazer story and poster on main page)
SADDLE CLUB SEPTEMBERFEST RIDE
The Saddle Club will have a Septemberfest ride. No information concerning details of the ride were forthcoming at the meeting.
HARVEST MOON GALA
We are excited to announce the third annual “Harvest Moon Gala,” a farm-to-table fundraising dinner to benefit the Lawrence County 4-H and FFA programs. This special event will take place on September 25th at the Lawrence County Extension Office, celebrating our local agricultural community and supporting the future leaders in farming and agriculture.
APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CMH SIGNS
Kingsmore will add name recommendations for the CMH (Country Music Highway) sign. The names he recommends are Noah Thompson, Adam Chaffins and Dave and Teresa Prince. This will be presented to the Lawrence County Fiscal Court for approval at the next regular meeting.
APPROVE USE OF AN INTERN
Crystal Sizemore has been chosen as an intern for the Lawrence County Tourism Commission to help promote businesses.
CIVIL WAR BATTLEFIELD – FLOYD COUNTY EVENT
The Floyd County Tourism Commission would like Lawrence County Tourism to come to the Civil War Battlefield for this event.
AGENDA
- Opening Prayer
- Call to Order
- Special Guests – NONE
Old Business:
- EHN Regional meet update — hosted in Lawrence County
- Film festival at Garden Theater
- Minutes to approve for May meeting – Susie Chambers, Secretary
- Approval of May Financial Report-Brenda Hardwick, Treasurer
New Business
- Open-Mic at Masterpiece Cafe
- Plays-Mountain Movers- past and present
- Kentucky State Fair – Aug. 14-24
- Septemberfest Festival – Sept. 5-6
- Saddle Club Septemberfest Ride
- Harvest Moon Gala- Sept. 25
- Approve recommendations for names to be added to CMH Signs
- Approve use of an Intern
- Civil War Battlefield – Floyd County Event
- Adjourn – Motion by Chris Jobe 2nd by Debbie Hill.
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The next regular scheduled monthly meeting will be held on Monday September 8, 2025 at 5:30PM.
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Lawrence County Tourism Meeting, July 21, 2025 Minutes
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the Fred Vinson Tourism office. Members in attendance were Wes Kingsmore, Chris Jobe, Debbie Hill, Christy Moore, Tom Bradley, Brenda Hardwick and Susie Chambers. Committee members present were Kate Cecil and Jenna Sammons. Susan Salyer from the Levisa Lazer also attended.
Wes called the meeting to order and also gave the opening prayer. The June minutes were approved with a motion by Chris and a second by Debbie., All in favor. The financial report showed a balance of $18,192.56. A motion was made by Susie and a second by Debbie to accept this report. All in favor.
Old business 1) Burger Days were successful 2) LC Fair July 25-26. Cowboy Church will kick off the fair on Thursday the 24th.
New business 1) Football Season Radio Ads with WSIP. This will run from August- November for $275 per month. Motion by Chris and second by Christy for these ads. All in favor. 2)
Music at the Garden Theater is an event we would like to do, with possible split the gate with the musicians and the theater. 3) With a motion by Tom and a second by Debbie we voted to buy a grill for the top prize for Burger Days entries. All in favor. 4) The 2nd annual film festival will be Aug. 15 and 16 at the Garden Theater. Christy made a motion with a second by Susie to pay up to $1,000 for use of the theater for two nights. All in favor. 5) We would like to schedule an open mic on a Saturday in August at the Masterpiece Cafe and Coffee Shop. 6)
Wes will volunteer to work the booth at the state fair.
Lisa Gamsby won the grill from Burger Days entries. The winners of the Opell Meat gift cards were Cade Cyrus and Cody Henderson.
With no further business to come before the board a motion was made to adjourn by Chris with a second by Tom. All in favor.
Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday, August 18th at 5:30 pm at the Fred Vinson Tourism office.
