News for June 2010
LAUNCH TRAING FOR PORSCHE CAYENNE AT BARBER MOTORSPORTS
Over the next 3 weeks, 1056 Porsche dealer’s employees from all over North America with get vehicle launch training on the new 2011 Porsche Cayenne at Barber Motorsports Park. The first 96 employees learned about and test drove the new Cayenne on the Barber track and took the vehicle on an off raod course set up near the track.The Cayenne is be tested against other luxury SUVs on the market. (The Birmingham News / Joe Songer)
Edited: June 29th, 2010
International Motorsports Hall of Fame & Talladega Superspeedway Super Special
MUSEUM & TRACK TOUR SUMMER SPECIAL
Exclusive offer for Summer Camps, Churches & Daycares
Ages 6 & Under – FREE! (with paying adult)
Ages 7 to 17 – $6.00
International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the Talladega Superspeedway invite you to take advantage of a special offer this summer! This combo includes a tour of the prestigious International Motorsports Hall of Fame and the legendary 2.66-mile Talladega Superspeedway.
For lodging: Treasure Island Bed and Breakfast
CALL 256-362-5002 to book your SUMMER TOUR today!
This offer is valid for summer of 2010 summer camps, churches and daycares only.
Edited: June 29th, 2010
Logan Martin Lake is on Fire
LOGAN MARTIN LAKE
By Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service (205) 663-1504
Website www.fishingalabama.com
Impounded 1964
Lake level: Full pool
Water Temperature: 86
Water Clarity: Clear – main lake / light stain – backs of creeks
LOGAN MARTIN LAKE IS ON FIRE!
I took an angler to Logan Martin Lake today launching at Lakeside Boat Launch on the lower lake in Cropwell Creek. At 5 a.m. we were the only boat there. He has not fished the lake very much but wanted to learn some places close by to later take his dad and brother that live on the lake. The day was fantastic!
We started out fishing Zara Spooks in 1-2 feet of weedy water. (No surprise to those that know me!) Topwater at dawn on Logan Martin Lake is a must! That is, if you want to get strikes from some big bass! Zara Spooks, Sammies, pop-r’s, prop-baits and buzz baits are just a few topwater lures that will all work right now. Not to mention those frogs in the grass!
Well, we never got around to fishing the frogs, but we did not need to. We started the day with a dozen topwater bites mostly from spotted bass, some good ones, from dawn until about 10 a.m.! Our four best spots had to weigh close to 4 pounds each! All on spooks and spinnerbaits.
We then switched over to fishing the weeds with Zoom Trick worms, chartreuse/white spinnerbaits and then as the sun got up we fished the weed edges with Rapala’s Suspending X-Rap jerk baits (the ones with the feather on the tail), ending up with a dozen more bass…all largemouth’s. Two were 3-4 pounds, we also had several nice 1-2 pounders, but the last one of the day hit at 11 :30 a.m. It weighed about 6 pounds! A very happy client!
For those skeptics that do not believe me, just give me a call I’ll give you his name and number and you can call the client and find out all this is all true! I have no reason to exaggerate or lie. I don’t have to. We never zero on these guided trips.
What was really unreal was these bass hit until midday and we quit at 12 p.m. then we rode the lake for about an hour with me then pointing out some more good spots and then we left at 1 p.m! We fished 7 hours and our 5 best bass would have easily weighed 22 pounds! Not a bad day’s fishing!
Always call on Reeds Guide Service…first! For fishing Logan Martin Lake or any Alabama lake year round. Logan Martin Lake’s (and all of Alabama’s), oldest professional fishing guide service. Now offering half day trips, full day trips, half night trips or full night trips, same rates for either one or two anglers, corporate trips or family outings and adult / child learning fishing trips. Several boats and guides available year round!
* Looking for this week’s best hunting and fishing bargains? Check out www.marksoutdoors.com Fathers Day Sale!
* Looking to fish Alabama’s best paying bass tournaments? Always check out www.airportmarinetrails.com first!
* Looking for a new or used boat? See www.airportmarine.com Summer Boat Sale going on right now!
* Looking for the world’s best bass boat? See www.rangerboats.com
* Looking for outstanding lodging right on the shore? Treasure Island Bed and Breakfast
Looking for a guide? Look no more. Always call Reeds Guide Service…first! (205) 663-1504 See my website www.fishingalabama.com Just updated with new day and night summertime fishing tips, lake reports, new summer articles and pictures from recent fishing trips…and more! Call today to make your summertime and fall reservations!
Thanks and Good Fishin’
Reed Montgomery / Outdoor Writer
Owner / Reeds Guide Service
Alabaster, Alabama (205) 663-1504
E-mail: alabassgyd@aol.com
Website: www.fishingalabama.com
” Over 40 Years Guiding, Fishing and Exploring Every Lake in Alabama For Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass and Striped Bass “
Always Call on Reeds Guide Service…first!
Alabama’s Oldest Professional, Freshwater Fishing Guide Service!
Edited: June 24th, 2010
Labonte Leaving TRG Motorsports
Bobby Labonte, the 2000 Sprint Cup Series champion, plans to part ways with TRG Motorsports, sources said Tuesday. An announcement is expected Wednesday that Labonte has left the team.
Labonte possibly could end up in the No. 7 Robby Gordon Motorsports car and run the full race this weekend at New Hampshire.
Labonte drove seven races for the TRG Motorsports at the end of the 2009 season, and with sponsorship from TaxSlayer.com for several races at the start of 2010, signed with the organization last November.
But sponsorship for the remainder of the 2010 races has not been secured, and Labonte has parked early in three of the last five events.
He was 31st in points with no top-20 finishes in his 16 starts this year. The team and crew chief Doug Randolph parted ways a few weeks ago.
The 46-year-old Labonte has not won a Cup race since 2003 and has not finished higher than 18th in the standings since leaving Joe Gibbs Racing after the 2005 season. He drove three years for Petty Enterprises and then drove last year for Hall of Fame Racing/Yates Racing and TRG. His last NASCAR victory came in 2007 when he won a Nationwide Series race while driving for Kevin Harvick Inc. at Talladega.
Edited: June 23rd, 2010
Events in Alabama near Alabama bed and Breakfast
Jimmy Buffett plans free concert on Alabama beach
The Associated Press quoted state tourism director Lee Sentell in the initial announcement. “Funds that BP gave to the state tourism department will be used to pay for the production cost,” said Sentell.
For more information please see www.radiomargaritaville.com and www.gulfshores.com
Raycom Media to air hour-long special on the gulf coast
Raycom Media is pooling the resources of five television stations to air a live, hour-long special about the Gulf oil spill’s impact on Alabama and the Gulf Coast. “Coastal Crisis: Impact Alabama”will air Wednesday, June 23rd at 7:00pm on the following Raycom Media stations across Alabama and Georgia: WAFF (Huntsville), WBRC (Birmingham), WSFA (Montgomery), WTVM (Columbus), WDFX (Dothan) and WTOC (Savannah). The program, which will be broadcast live from Gulf Shores, will focus on how the spill is affecting Alabama’s tourism industry, overall economy and wildlife, as well as what is being done to protect and restore Alabama’s pristine beaches. It will feature interviews with experts as well as first-hand accounts from those coastal residents whose lives have been impacted by the spill. The show will also feature a live interview with Alabama Governor Bob Riley to discuss the state and federal response to the disaster as well as his views on the future of the Alabama coastal region. There will also be a web component to this hour-long special, giving people the opportunity to interact directly with the stations airing the special. Viewers with questions about the oil spill are encouraged to log on to their local Raycom Media station website to participate in live chats with local experts, including Dr. George Crozier, Executive Director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, and Bruce Stallsmith, professor of aquatic biology and fisheries biology at the University Of Alabama-Huntsville.
The exhibit features more than 80 costumes from the six George Lucas movies, including Darth Vader’s, plus light sabers, droids and robotics, interactive displays, models and more. It officially opens to the public Friday and remains here through Sept. 6. It first opened at the Boston Museum of Science in 2005. It has been seen by more than 2 million people. “I think the whole Space & Rocket Center staff, and especially me, are just tremendously excited about bringing the ‘Star Wars’ exhibit to the Huntsville community and what it will do for the community in terms of additional visitors that will be able to sample all of Huntsville,” Space Center CEO Larry Capps said. “This is an exciting time for us. A lot of work and planning have gone into this, and our team is ready.” The Storm Troopers from the Alabama Garrison of the 501st Legion, a Star Wars costuming organization formed in 1997, are also excited about invading the Space Center, although you won’t see it, because of their stoic-looking masks. There will be about 50 members of the 501st Legion at Thursday’s opening ceremonies and roughly 100 through the weekend. That will include costumed Clone Troopers, TIE Fighter pilots and officers from the Empire along with members from the Rebel Legion – good guys and gals like Prince Leia, Jedi warriors and Rebel pilots.
“Oh yeah, we’ve been working on this for a year,” said Adam Johnsey, 38, of Birmingham, commanding officer of the Alabama Garrison of the 501st Legion. He is also a distant relative of Ewan McGregor, who played Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi in Episodes I-III of the “Star Wars” movies. “We’ve got guys coming in from all around the state, surrounding states and even a couple of guys from Italy. We’re excited.” There has been quite a bit of excitement surrounding the exhibit since the Space Center secured it last March when another museum decided to bail out. The center agreed to pay the roughly $200,000 lease, and that doesn’t include installing, marketing or staffing it. Since that time, the Space Center has been aggressively advertising the exhibit. In May, workers started clearing 12,000 square feet in the museum and moving in the new “Star Wars” exhibits. Most of the regular space exhibits from the museum have been moved into the Davidson Center, but there will still be displays interspersed throughout the “Star Wars” exhibit to let visitors know what’s going on throughout the Space & Rocket Center. “It’s called shameless self-promotion,” Al Whitaker, director of media, said. “If you don’t ring your own bell, nobody will. We’ve got the opportunity with thousands of additional people visiting – a whole new audience – to tell about Space Camp, Aviation Challenge and other programs. We want people to know the Space Center is more than just a museum.” Capps said it’s hard to believe the countdown sign placed in front of the museum a year ago – counting down the days until “Star Wars” gets here – is about to hit zero. But he has a good feeling, as if Yoda already has had a calming effect. “The Force is already with me,” Capps said. “I believe it’s going to be great.” For more information please see www.spacecamp.com/landing/starwars/?q=starwars.
What: “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” exhibit
Where: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, I-565, Exit 15
VIP night: Thursday, 9 p.m. to midnight, $75. Sold out for 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m. times
General admission: Daily: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, adults $30, children (4-12) $20
Sunday through Thursday: 5:30 to 9 p.m., adults $20, children $15
Friday-Saturday: 5:30 to 11 p.m., adults $20, children $15
Millennium Falcon: “Star Wars” admission plus $5
When: Friday through Sept. 6
To purchase tickets: www.spacecamp.com/store/events, 800-637-7223; tickets are sold by time slot.
For the complete article please see http://blog.al.com/entertainment-times/2010/06/star_wars_exhibit_to_feature_d.html
The Washington Post profiles Huntsville tourism attractions
From the article “Huntsville, Ala., offers space center, history and art museums, botanical gardens” by Becky Krystal in The Washington Post
You might first notice the towering Saturn V rocket during the descent into Huntsville International Airport. The landmark rises above the horizon in much the same way as the space and defense industries dominate the reputation of this northern Alabama city. The rocket’s home is the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, a major tourist draw and one of the reasons the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Huntsville one of its 2010 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. But even though it’s nicknamed the Rocket City, both the National Trust and I realized that Huntsville and the surrounding area (population about 400,000) is full of earthbound attractions of the non-NASA variety. Huntsville’s history stretches back to far before the arrival of the space industry in the 1950s. A Revolutionary War veteran named John Hunt settled there in 1805 for the proximity to a spring, and within a matter of decades, the town had flourished enough for its residents to build an impressive array of mansions that you can ogle while taking a pleasant drive through the city’s three historic districts.
Burritt on the Mountain, a regional history museum with a lofty perch overlooking the city, is one grand home worth visiting. Rewind: Yes, there are mountains in Alabama. William Henry Burritt, a homeopathic physician, built a mansion with a beautifully appointed interior on 167 acres in the late 1930s atop Monte Sano (“Mountain of Health”). He asked that it become a museum after his death, and today the estate is home to about a dozen old buildings moved to the site from different parts of Alabama. There are also farm animals and a cheerful museum store. Perhaps Burritt’s greatest asset is its setting. Picnic tables have been strategically placed around the grounds. I parked myself at one to take in the view and the heavily perfumed air synonymous with “South.” “They’re really surprised how beautiful it is,” Lynette Fairlamb, my genial guide at the mansion, said of people visiting Burritt and this corner of Alabama. I was ready to be surprised some more. After tossing my bags in my hotel room, I made a beeline for downtown Huntsville, which also boasts some natural beauty, not to mention a vast collection of antebellum houses. Gleaming office buildings, a large entertainment venue and the Huntsville Museum of Art are situated around water that’s part of Big Spring Park. (The next day I discovered an even more scenic pocket of the park a few blocks away, with cascading water and a steep rock wall.) Had it not been so hot, I would have set up at a table on the patio outside Pane e Vino, the pizza spot on a lower level of the museum building. Instead, I settled for a table with a window view. Sufficiently gorged on an El Greco pie (the names of the pizzas pay homage to painters), I walked up to the art museum to take advantage of the extended evening hours on Thursdays. I felt very urban sophisticated. Though I’m more used to the scale of the Smithsonian, I gladly accepted the more digestible size of the Huntsville Museum of Art, which is undergoing an expansion. Then I discovered that about half the galleries were closed for final preparations for exhibitions set to open a few days later. Still, my visit was not for naught. I enjoyed what I did see in the already open portion of the upcoming exhibit showcasing pieces by American women artists. I slowly worked my way through another gallery displaying jewelry by a local woman, Kathy Chan, that ranged in inspiration from insects to a tornado. I may or may not have squatted in front of multiple cases to line up my reflection with the baubles to “try on” some devastatingly gorgeous necklaces.
People were unfailingly friendly. A woman at the visitors center made sure that I got as many 20-percent-off coupons to area attractions as I needed (through the convention and visitors bureau Passport program). While I was snacking beside my rental car in the parking lot at Burritt on the Mountain, another patron called out to ask whether I was okay, because he thought my battery might have died. And when I approached local resident Chris Barr at the Huntsville Botanical Garden to get his impression of the flowering oasis, I ended up being invited to the vegan picnic lunch he was about to tuck into with his wife, Valerie, and their friend Lidia Seda. It had been an oppressively hot and humid day, but not miserable enough to mitigate the joys of the garden. I admired explosions of hydrangeas. I sniffed a bounty of rosemary, fingered burgeoning eggplant. Butterflies flitted by my head in their large screened-in house. The entire place — all 120 acres of it — was a study in contrasts with the towering rocket visible from the nearby space center. Enough of the locals, particularly the children reveling in the fountains, seemed to have found their way to the garden. But it’s probably one of those area attractions that remains under the radar to the wider world. “It’s a pretty good secret,” Barr said. So is Huntsville in a lot of ways. I’m willing to share it.
For the complete article please see http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/17/AR2010061703575.html
USA TODAY does travel feature on new Alabama bass fishing retreat
From the article “New Alabama retreat includes bed, breakfast and bass fishing” by John Zenor in USA TODAY:
Ray Scott helped make bass fishing big business. Now, he’s created a business out of his personal playground. The founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society and well-known fishing impresario has launched his own BB&B: bed, breakfast and bass. Ray Scott’s Trophy Bass Retreat opened in January, offering use of the three lakes on his suburban Montgomery property that have hosted presidential fishing excursions, as well as stays in the guesthouse where former President George H.W. Bush bunked down on several visits. Of course, the fish are big and so are the prices. A group of six from Birmingham happily plunked down $550 apiece recently to fish from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a couple of meals and use of Scott’s boats thrown in. Sporting a huge fish and a big grin, Chris Thompson figured he got plenty of bass for his buck. “This is worth everything out here,” Thompson said, posing for pictures with his 10-pound, 12-ounce bass. It’s catch and release, so he had to toss it back in The Presidents Lake. (For a price, Scott has a taxidermist who will make a replica based on weight and size).
Star Wars exhibit opens this week at U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville
From the article “Star Wars exhibit to feature Darth Vader, Storm Troopers” by Chris Welch in The Huntsville Times:
New gulf coast tourism campaign launched
The Alabama Tourism Department launched a new advertising campaign last week that airs in 10 media markets important to Gulf Coast tourism. The 30 second commercial features celebrity chef Lucy Buffett and is aimed at attracting visitors to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for the July 4th weekend. The ad is also targeted towards getting repeat visitors back to the area during the summer season as Buffett encourages visitors with the line, “So come on, get back to the beaches we all love.” The ad’s message encourages visitors to go to www.gulfshores.com and www.orangebeach.com to get the facts and the latest on beach conditions. “Releasing the commercial now is important because the 4th of July weekend is critical to the Gulf Coast beaches,” said state tourism director Lee Sentell. “The holiday has always been the season’s biggest weekend for business,” Sentell said. In support of the commercial’s message, Governor Bob Riley is also encouraging tourists to visit the beaches and spent the Father’s Day weekend on Alabama’s coast with his family.
Visitors don’t just come from Alabama, either. A trial run last November included a federal judge from Washington, D.C., and his friend from Birmingham. Judge William Roberts of the Copyright Royalty Board said he caught his three biggest fish on the three-night excursion, all around 10 pounds. “It was fantastic. I’ve been fishing for 35 years,” said Roberts, reached while spending a Friday morning out on the water. “On the first day, I caught two bass over 10 pounds. After 30-something years of fishing, I finally put 10 pounds of fish in a bucket. I broke my personal best twice in the same day.” Roberts, who has replicas of the fish hanging in his office, hopes to return in November with seven others. Scott only allows groups of eight or fewer and won’t let more than four boats go out at the same time. Groups can come in for one-day visits on Fridays and longer stays Monday through Thursday. The six from Birmingham listened to Scott’s fishing tales over a lunch of sandwiches, potato salad and homemade desserts. Weekends are the only time the affable, folksy Scott and his wife are assured of having the place to themselves. Loss of privacy doesn’t seem to bother Scott. What does? “I regret that I waited so long and have been in some respects selfish,” Scott said. “They’re not hurting my lake. They don’t kill fish.”
Visitors also get to see numerous pictures of Scott with the elder Bush, a longtime friend, and George W. Bush. Plus they get to crash in the presidential bed. “I tease people, ‘You can sleep in George Bush’s bed and we haven’t changed the linens since he was here,’” Scott said. Thompson and his group made the one-day visit courtesy of boss Kent Upton, who treated his employees, son and nephew to the outing. “We will come back,” said Upton, who co-owns with his brother a company that manufactures and supplies threaded steel products. “The quality of the fishing and the way they treat us here … you’re just well taken care of.” Never mind that Upton and his brother have a 45-acre lake of their own a couple of hours away. Billy Hinton, who works for Upton, called the setup “a fisherman’s dream.” “This is some kind of lake here,” he said. “Fishermen look for structure and place. There’s no doubt a fisherman set this lake up. It’s amazing. It’s got some fishing. “A working man can’t come every week, but it’s certainly worth coming once a year.”
For the complete article please see http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2010-06-22-alabama-trophy-bass-retreat_N.htm
Point Mallard hosts 5th Annual LUAU
The J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center will again play host to an evening of island dance and music Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26. The fun begins earlier in the day with games, crafts and contests. The LUAU - Dancing with Fire show has been extended to two evening shows beginning at approximately 8:15 p.m. inside the aquatic center. Wearing beautiful, handmade costumes; the Aloha Islanders will perform their Polynesian Revue. This busy group made up of four hula dancers and a three fire knife dancer perform over 150 shows each year and have traveled throughout Florida, the Bahamas and Jamaica. The dancers have studied the art of the hula and they create their own authentic costumes keeping with the traditional island styles of Hawaii, Tahiti and Samoa. The entertainment will also feature a Polynesian drummer, and for the first time, nine local girls between the ages of 5 and 11 will perform a special spotlight hula. Exclusive to Point Mallard are three Fountain Dancers featuring unique routines with hand held water fountains. The evening is completed by a spectacular finale featuring all entertainers and a water-based fireworks show designed especially for Point Mallard’s guests. Admission is $16 for adults and $11 for children ages 5-11, kids ages 4 and under are free. Season passes are honored for the event. Because of the special event, the park will remain open until 10:00 p.m., but pools and slides will close at 7:00 p.m.
For more information please see www.pointmallardpark.com.
Sandra Bullock treats dad to Father’s Day dinner at Bright Star restaurant in Bessemer
From the article “Sandra Bullock treats dad to Father’s Day dinner at Bright Star in Bessemer” by Bob Carlton in The Birmingham News:
Oscar-winner Sandra Bullock treated her dad, John Bullock, to a Father’s Day dinner at one of his favorite restaurants Sunday night — the Bright Star in Bessemer. “She flew in and wanted to take her daddy to his favorite restaurant,” Bright Star co-owner Jimmy Koikos said Monday. “We had to keep it real low-key. She was real nice. She was as pleasant as she could be.” A dozen or so friends and family members joined the Bullocks, including Koikos and his brother, Nicky Koikos. At dinner, Bullock tried the gumbo, broiled snapper throats, crab cakes and fried green tomatoes, Koikos said. “She wanted a sample of all of the desserts, so we got her a bunch of desserts,” he added. Bullock’s father, who is retired, lives part of the year in Birmingham, where he has a sister and a niece. ¨He is a frequent diner at the Bright Star, and he and Jimmy Koikos have become friends. “He’s like a guy next door,” Koikos said. “I’ve never heard him one time say, ‘I’m Sandra Bullock’s daddy’ — never.” In March, the Koikos brothers hosted a private Oscar-watching party at the Bright Star for John Bullock and about 30 guests. ¨That night, his daughter won the Academy Award for best actress for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy in “The Blind Side.” In May, the 103-year-old Bright Star was recognized as an “America’s Classic” restaurant by the James Beard Foundation.
For the complete article please see http://blog.al.com/bob-carlton/2010/06/sandra_bullock_treats_dad_to_f.html
Lynyrd Skynyrd honored at U.S. Capitol
Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was honored last week by two state congressmen at the U.S. capitol. A reception was held for Lynyrd Skynyrd, who received the honor by Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus and Florida Congressman Connie Mack. The band toured the capitol and were presented with a Congressional Record tribute. The group made stops at both the Capitol and the White House. “The Lynyrd Skynyrd band is a true voice of the South and a legend in the music world. ’Sweet Home Alabama’ is one of the best advertisements for my state and we now even proudly display the words on our license plates. We deeply appreciate the fact that the band does a lot to entertain our troops and support military families. They bring enjoyment to their many fans and it’s a pleasure to welcome them to our nation’s capital,” said Bachus, who is dean of the Alabama House delegation.
Alabama Tourism media appearances
Lee Sentell hosted travel journalist Peter Greenberg and president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association Roger Dow on Saturday for the live broadcast of the Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio Show from The Hangout in Gulf Shores. Greenberg is the travel editor for CBS News and his nationally syndicated radio show is heard on more than 150 stations, Sirius/XM radio and Armed Forces Radio.
Brian Jones was interviewed live Saturday afternoon on CNN about the impact of the BP oil spill impact on summer tourism. Other guests interviewed by Fredricka Whitfield on CNN Newsroom included Will Seccombe with Visit Florida and Jim Hutchinson with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism.
Calendar of Events deadline is June 30
The deadline is fast approaching for submitting your events for the 2011 Alabama Calendar of Events. If you have not already done so, please go to www.alabama.travel; click on Events, then click Submit an Event and fill out the form completely. In order for an event to be featured in the printed 2011 Alabama Calendar of Events, you must post your event(s) no later than June 30, 2010.
If you have questions about the Calendar, please contact Marilyn Jones Stamps at 334-242-4544; marilyn.stamps@tourism.alabama.gov or Pam Smith at 334-353-4541; pam.smith@tourism.alabama.gov. Also, if you wish to enhance your listing with a photo of your event, please send your photos and the name and date(s) of your event to Peggy Collins at peggy.collins@tourism.alabama.gov with a cc to: Tommy Cauthen at tommy.cauthen@tourism.alabama.gov. Please note: Alabama Tourism reserves the right to edit listings, including photo usage in the Calendar and other publications.
Upcoming “Great Alabama Homecoming” events
Some 215 towns across Alabama welcome you home this year during the Great Alabama Homecoming. It’s all part of the Year of Alabama Small Towns & Downtowns- a celebration of everything that is Sweet Home Alabama. There are homecoming events and festivals going on practically every weekend through mid-December. Upcoming events include:
Helen Keller Festival- Tuscumbia- June 24-27
Annual Masonic Day Celebration- Florala- June 24
Brighton Homecoming- Brighton- June 25-27
Peach Jam Jubilee- Clanton- June 25
Liberty Day- Columbiana- June 25-26
Homecoming/Centennial Cemetery Day- Hobson City- June 25-26
Wild West Blocton Davis- West Blocton- June 25-26
Town of Shorter Liberty Day- Shorter- June 26
Sylvan Springs Old-Fashioned Evening in the Park- Sylvan Springs- June 26
God and Country Celebration- Wilsonville- June 27
Happy Birthday Albertville- Albertville- June 28-July 4
Celebrate Guntersville- Guntersville- July 2-4
Bay Minette’s Homecoming Celebration- Bay Minette- July 3
Heroes and Patriots Weekend- Brent- July 3
Independence Day Celebration- Cherokee- July 3
100th Anniversary of the City of Lincoln- Lincoln- July 3
Midway Homecoming- Midway- July 3
Pre 4th of July Fireworks and Heritage Celebration- Pickensville- July 3-4
Fourth of July Celebration on the Tennessee River- Scottsboro- July 3
Town of Taylor 2010 Homecoming Weekend- Taylor- July 3
Picnic in the Park- Geraldine- July 4
Fourth of July Homecoming- Magnolia Springs- July 4
Edited: June 23rd, 2010
Alabama Tourism Launches New Advertising Campaign
Montgomery, Ala. June 18, 2010 — The Alabama Tourism Department launched a new advertising campaign today that will begin airing in 10 media markets important to Gulf Coast tourism.
The 30 second commercial features celebrity chef Lucy Buffett and is aimed at attracting visitors to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for the July 4th weekend. The ad is also targeted towards getting repeat visitors back to the area during the summer season as Buffett encourages visitors with the line, “So come on, get back to the beaches we all love.”
The ad’s message encourages visitors to go to www.gulfshores.com and www.orangebeach.com to get the facts and the latest on beach conditions.
“Releasing the commercial now is important because the 4th of July weekend is critical to the Gulf Coast beaches,” said state tourism director Lee Sentell. “The holiday has always been the season’s biggest weekend for business,” Sentell said.
In support of the commercial’s message, Governor Bob Riley is also encouraging tourists to visit the beaches and announced that he is spending Father’s Day weekend on Alabama’s coast with his family.
Alabama Tourism also produced TV spots with American Idol Taylor Hicks. Those spots are in production and expected to be completed in July. Both Buffett and Hick’s spots are part of a new advertising campaign designed to encourage families to support and visit Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. The campaign is the 2nd in a series of campaigns by the Alabama Tourism Department since the Gulf Coast oil spill.
“Lucy is so passionate about the Gulf Coast, it’s her home. She called to ask how she could help. At that point we knew that we wanted her to play a role in the tourism campaign,” said state tourism director Lee Sentell. “Taylor Hicks did the same. He called and said he wanted to help. What better people to promote Alabama than two hometown celebrities who are passionate about the state,” Sentell added.
The Alabama Tourism Department worked with Birmingham Ad Agency Luckie & Company to shoot and produce the commercial. It is scheduled to air in Mobile, Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis, New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Jackson, Mississippi.
To view the spot with Lucy Buffett visit the Alabama Tourism Channel on YouTube by logging on to www.alabama.travel and click on the YouTube icon on the homepage.
Edited: June 18th, 2010
Testing at Barber Motorsports
Edited: June 17th, 2010
Barber Motorsports Museum 20% off Dad’s Ticket on Father’s Day
Is dad a motorsports fan? Then take him over to Barber Motorsports Museum Sunday for Father’s Day and save 20% off admission.
No coupon needed just show up.
For near by lodging: Treasure Island Bed and Breakfast
Regular admission is $15 so dad will get in for $12.
Here is their contact information and more:
| For more information, please visit www.barbermuseum.org or call (205) 699-7275.For accommadations:
Daily Admission
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Hours of Operation until October 2010
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