LC TOURISM COMMISSION MAKES DONATIONS TO LOCAL EVENTS…
By Susan Salyer
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission had a Regular Meeting on Monday, August 17, 2026 at 5:30PM at The Junction, 123 S. Main Cross Street, Louisa, Kentucky, 41230. The Meeting was moved because there is no air conditioning at The Fred M. Vinson Museum. LC Tourism Commissioner Wes Kingsmore was in attendance along with the Tourism Members including Christy Moore, Chris Jobe, Debbie Hill, Susie Chambers and Kate Cecil, Tom Bradley and Brenda Hardwick.
LAWRENCE COUNTY FAIR
The LC Fair was a successful event and kids participated, the Rodeo had a big crowd. There was also Music and a Talent Show. Wes Kingsmore and Chris Jobe drove shuttle buses at the Fair. Everyone was happy and there were many people from out of town visiting. It was a great turnout.
HERITAGE HARVEST TOUR
The Heritage Harvest Tour is in the planning stages. The Tour will be losing Savage Farms this year. The Barn Door is interested in participating along with Ross Chapel and Church of the Falls. There will be a meeting next week to plan more.
HARVEST MOON GALA
The date for the Harvest Moon Gala has changed to Thursday, September 24, 2026. Tourism will buy 2 tables at $400 a piece. Motion by Debbie Hill and Seconded by Susie Chambers. None Opposed. Tom Bradley abstained from the vote due to conflict of interest.
MINUTES TO APPROVE FOR JULY
There was a Motion by Tom Bradley and seconded by Kate Cecil to approve the Minutes for July. None Opposed.
APPROVAL OF JULY FINANCIAL REPORT
There was a Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Christy Moore to approve the July Financials. None Opposed.
SEPTEMBERFEST FISHING TOURNAMENT
The Septemberfest Fishing Tournament has called and requested a donation for $1,750.00. There was discussion and the members donated $1,500.00. Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
SADDLE CLUB
The Saddle Club has requested $500 from LC Tourism Commission. The Saddle Club is under new management and all new members. There was discussion and the members donated $500 to the Saddle Club. None Opposed.
GM…KOVG 50% off offer Miles
This is about advertising for up to $1,070. for matching funds on 1/8 page. Motion by Tom Bradley and seconded by Chris Jobe to be paid by August 28, 2026. None Opposed.
MOMO FUNDING
This is a local theater Mountain Movers wanting a donation of $1,000. The members approved the donation of $1,000.00 for now and will revisit the funding at a later date. Motion by Susie Chambers and seconded by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
ADJOURN
Motion by Debbie Hill and seconded by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
AGENDA
- Opening Prayer
- Call to Order
- Special Guests – None
Old Business
- Chairman comments – None
- LC Fair – Discussion
- Heritage Harvest Tour – Discussion
- Harvest Moon Gala – Motion by Debbie Hill and 2nd by Susie Chambers. None Opposed.
- Minutes to approve for July meeting – Motion by Tom Bradley and 2nd by Kate Cecil. None Opposed.
- Approval of July Financial Report – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
New Business
- Septemberfest Fishing Tournament – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Christy Moore. None Opposed.
- Saddle Club – Motion by Christy Moore Jobe and 2nd by Kate Cecil. None Opposed.
- GM… KOVG 50% off offer from Miles – Motion by Tom Bradley and 2nd by Chris Jobe. None Opposed.
- MOMO Funding – Motion by Susie Chambers and 2nd by Christy Moore.
- Audience comments – None.
- Adjourn – Motion by Debbie Hill and 2nd by Susie Chambers.
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Lawrence County Tourism Minutes, July 20, 2026
Prepared by: Susie Chambers, Secretary
The Lawrence County Tourism Commission met on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 5:30 pm at the Fallsburg Country Store. Members in attendance were Chairman Wes Kingsmore, Tom Bradley, Chris Jobe, Debbie Hill, Christy Moore, Kate Cecil and Susie Chambers. Also attending were Mayor Harold Slone and Susan Salyer.
Wes called the meeting to order and Tom offered the opening prayer.
Old business: 1) Harold reported that Louisa’s 4th celebration was good and that they’re ready for the upcoming Septemberfest. 2) Fallsburg’s 4th was well attended and the food trucks did well. 3) The LC Fair is this coming weekend and they have several new events. 4) The Quilt Shop Hop was well attended and participants went from shop to shop. 5) Kate said there were 35 entries from Burger Week. We were down a little this year but it still went well. 6) Wes attended the EK meeting. Ky tourism received less funds this year. 7) Chandler Shepherd, former major league baseball player, was awarded the Gem of the Big Sandy award by Mayor Harold Slone.
Minutes written by Christy Moore were presented and accepted with a motion by Chris and a second by Kate. All in favor. The treasurer’s report was given by Kate showing a balance of $17,528.58. A motion to accept this report was made by Susie with a second by Christy. All in favor.
New business: 1) The LC Fair is underway with two events happening prior to the actual fair. A disc golf tournament went well and had a good number of participants. The talent show/ beauty pageant was combined into one event and it went great. The center had a full house.
- The Heritage Harvest Tour is scheduled for Saturday September 26th. Due to the closing of Savage Farm Winery, Jack with Bulldogs Farm will allow vendors to set up on his property.
- With a motion by Kate and a second by Susie, we voted to spend up to $500 for port a potties for larger stops on the Harvest Tour if they’re needed. All in favor. 4) The Harvest Moon Gala is coming up this fall and we will discuss it at our August meeting. 5) Septemberfest will be September 11th and 12th.
EHN
We will host the EKA meeting in September. Wes will pick the place. With a motion by Susie and a second by Tom we voted to spend up to $300 for lunch for this group. All in favor.
Northeast Chamber of Commerce has asked us to join their group. This would be beneficial for us.
Debbie made a motion to adjourn with a second by Christy. All in favor.
Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 17th at 5:30 pm. The place will be announced closer to that date.
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The next Regular Scheduled Monthly Meeting will be held on Monday September 14, 2026 at The Fred M. Vinson Museum 2nd Floor Downtown, at 5:30PM.
