Tourism Council pushes forward

Lisa Law

AMERICUS —  Despite the destruction of the tornado and the clean up now in process, the Americus-Sumter Tourism Council members are marching on . Many highlights for the coming months are well on their way. On Wednesday, March 21, the Tourism Council members met to discuss up and coming venues that will be opening for tourism in Sumter County.

The Andersonville Trail reported that Andersonville and other Sumter County sites have been well promoted by many members of the tourism council. Members of the council visited Atlanta and Myrtle Beach. There, they attended travel shows spreading the news of tourism in the Sumter County area. At Travel South, in Myrtle Beach on March 11-14, bookings were made with 29 various tour groups from all over the United States.

Tourists or families which have visitors this month may want to attend the March 24th event at 7 p.m. at the Rylander Theatre which will feature the “Three Country Comedians” sponsored by the Rotary Club of Americus. The Country Comedian Tour will consists of comedians MG, Benjie Wright and Matt”Casino Kid” Mitchell. All proceeds of this event will go toward the Relief Recovery in the Sumter County area. Tickets are $20. There will also be a tornado benefit coordinated by Mark Waddell. It will consist of area pageant members and all proceeds will go toward disaster relief also.

In April, a Shakespearean play called “Much Ado About Nothing” will b e broadcasted on April 19- 21 at 8p.m. and April 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Even though, Reese Park has been severely damaged, the Arts in the Park is scheduled as usual for April 21 at 10am-3p.m. According to Sevanne Steiner, Middle Flint Developments’ Historic Preservation Planner, the event will go on as planned even though the park’s gazebo was destroyed during the tornado and many of the trees.

“A stage will be set up for the entertainment. Many arts and crafts will be on display and there will be painting for the kids, and entertainment for all,”said Steiner.

Steiner said she had been talking to a couple of associates at the Savannah Art and Design about maybe bringing their students out, as a class project, to access and maybe replace the trees in the park. Also on the Historic Preservation's’ priority list are concerns regarding repairs on the Historic homes in Americus. The Historical Preservation Committee is calling for all structural alterations to be approved by the Historic Preservation committee. Property owners can reach them on Thursdays. For more information, call the Middle Flint Regional Development Center at 931-2909.

In Andersonville, on June 2, 2007 the Motorcycle Run is scheduled to kick off. There are 500 raffle tickets available for a chance at winning an ATV vehicle, a four wheeler. The drawing will be held on the day of the event. For more information , call the Andersonville welcome center at 924-2558.

For those who like delving into the past, Plains will be having their yearly Classic Car Show on April 21 and the yearly “Farm Days” will be celebrated on May 3 at The Archery, Jimmy Carter’s’ Boyhood Farm, featuring the working animals which were once an everyday experience.

“The Sam’s Short Line will also be there. Train rides will cost $5. “We will have a blacksmith out there with farm animals and their will be food and entertainment along with the May Pole Event.” said Lizzy Watts, Superintendent of the Jimmy Carter Historic Site. “Last year 90 people road the train for the first time in their lives,” said Watts. For more information on May Days, call Plains Welcome Center at 824-5629.

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