I recently attended the N.C. Governor’s Conference on Tourism. This is an annual event where local tourism directors meet with the executives from Raleigh, and other industry leaders to 1). Discuss and evaluate the tourism industry in our communities and tate, and 2). Gather promotional ideas and opportunities the state is investing in that local communities can tap into at little or no cost.

While the final numbers are not yet tabulated, 2016 appears to have been another strong year for tourism in our state (and local community). Tourism is a $22 billion industry in our state, which ranks us sixth nationally (behind the usual suspects like New York, Florida, and California). Interestingly, 44 percent of NC travel comes from within the state – in essence, residents of North Carolina visiting other areas of this beautiful state.

I have been involved in researching and planning tourism marketing in North Carolina for over 20 years. Inevitably, whenever you talk to someone about traveling in North Carolina, the conversation turns to the natural scenic beauty (and weather) of the state. This is especially true as we enter the Spring – fondly known (along with the Fall) as the “Shoulder Seasons.”

From golf to biking, walking, and various water sports, the spring offers an opportunity to emerge from the house and get outside. Not surprising, this opportunity to get outside also coincides with the emergence of events and festivals in our area.

Baseball and softball season is underway, and tournaments will soon again populate our weekend calendar. Not only do these events offer local teams the opportunity to play out of town travel teams, but the tournaments also provide a tourism value as visiting teams stay in our hotels and shop in our stores.

In a few weeks, as we head out of April, our community will celebrate spring, the arts and our charitable community with two events. On Saturday, April 29, the Scotland Memorial Foundation will hold their annual FunD-Run-4-Life and the Arts Council and the City of Laurinburg will host the Spring Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the same day.

The day kicks off on the campus of the Scotland Memorial Hospital at 7:30 a.m. with a half marathon, the running events continue with a 5K Run/Walk at 8:30 and a 1-mile fun run/walk at 9:30 a.m. The morning is capped off with a “Kids Zone” Play area at 10:30. Over half of the participants joining us are from out-of-town, and every dollar raised helps support these local foundation funds: 1). The Diabetes Education Fund provides resources and educational programs focused on addressing the growing trend of diabetes in children and adults, and 2). Scotland Cancer Treatment Center’s Patient Assistance Fund that assists patients who may be faced with financial challenges during their cancer care.

After a morning of exercise, we encourage everyone to head downtown to the Spring Art Festival. Held on Main Street, the festival will include art exhibits, the Bold-Faced Liars Showdown, street artists, a sidewalk art contest, live music, food, and a chance to try your hand at different artistry. The festival will also serve as the formal unveiling of the new art pieces being displayed at the Laurinburg Art Park located at the corner of Church and Main.

For more information on the FunD-Run visit www.scotlandhealth.org/fundrun. For information on the art festival contact the Arts Council at www.storyartscenter.org.

Spring Festival Season continues to roll forward on May 13th when Habitat for Humanity of Scotland County hosts its 14th annual Bike to Build. The event will feature a 64, 32, 21 and 10.5 mile bicycle route as well as a 10k run for the first time in the event’s history, and a 5k run/walk.

This year’s event also falls on the 25th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity opening in Scotland County, and all the proceeds from the event will be put toward the organization building its 49th home in the county. For more information visit www.biketobuild.org.

Spring Festival season closes out with the Chalk Banks Challenge. The fun will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Chalk Banks Access Area – Lumber River State Park in Wagram, NC. Contestants may compete in raft, recreational canoe or kayak races, a 5K trail run, youth run, a men’s high heel sprint sponsored by Jerry’s Deli, and much more. This year, cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in many events including $150 for the first place the raft race divisions.

A Scotland County tradition, raft races will be divided into two divisions: group (two or more people) youth and group adult. All rafts must be homemade and may not be motorized in any way. The day provides an opportunity to visit this beautiful state park and enjoy the fun. In addition to the events the festival will also include kid’s games, inflatables, train rides, canoe rides, vendors and more. More information may be found at www.chalkbanks.com.

So come out and enjoy the spring and festivals, and see why Laurinburg/Scotland County is a great place to live, work and play.

https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/web1_HughesPRINT.jpg

Cory Hughes

Focus on Scotland

Cory Huges, executive director of the Scotland County Tourism Development Authority, wrote this week’s Focus on Scotland, an effort by community leaders on making Laurinburg/Scotland County a better place to work, live, and play.