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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

A resolution of support for Evarts becoming a Kentucky Trail Town was approved at a special called meeting of the Evarts Tourist and Convention Commission on Monday.

“Even though the city council already passed a resolution, we wanted to do our part and pass one also,” said Chairperson Janice Napier. “This will be good for our city and our county. There is no other county in the state which has been designated a Trail Town to date. It would be nice to be the first one.”

Harlan Tourist and Commission Director Brandon Pennington and Cumberland Tourist and Convention Commission Director Tracey Bailey talked with members of the Evarts commission asking them to join them in participating in this year’s state fair activities in Louisville.

“Our tourism and Harlan’s has had a lot of success with this,” said Bailey. “Evarts is a popular destination right now, with a lot of questions being asked about activities in this area. The cost will be about $1,000 per entity for booth space and all the other items needed for the booth.”

Pennington said they hope to win the competition for the best booth this year at the state fair.

“We’re going to have everyone stepping into the adventure of Harlan County rather than learning about the adventure,” said Pennington. “We’ll have a mock zip line and a four-wheeler to drive in.”

After a lengthy discussion, the issue was tabled for lack of finances.

The second annual Fourth of July Parade, hosted by the commission, was discussed and plans were made to have a float for the event.

“The parade will be on July 3,” said city clerk and acting secretary for the commission Kristi Lamb. “Lineup will begin at 6:30 p.m. behind the old Evarts High School. The parade will begin at 7:30 p.m. This year’s theme will be Salute to America. Anyone interested in participating in the parade please contact the Evarts Tourism Commission at 837-0609. All entries will be judged and the winner will receive $50. Following the parade, at dark, the annual fireworks show will begin at the north Evarts Elementary School.”

Mayor Eddie Manning asked the commission to purchase flags to display on poles throughout the city in honor of the Fourth of July holiday and their parade. Commission members approved the purchase of 20 flags and commission member Henry Shackleford agreed to purchase an additional 10 flags on his own.

A motion was made and approved to spend $3,000 on fireworks for this year’s display to be held after the Fourth of July Parade.

Plans began for the city’s annual Labor Day Festival, which will be Sept. 1.

In other action, the commission approved:

*Bill Troutman as a designatee to update the city’s website as needed;

*Setting up a Facebook account as a group and designated Lamb as the updater;

*Discussed a playground grant for equipment at their city park. Approved making an application for the funds;

*The purchase of an advertisement in the Harlan County Shriners Horse Show and Fair booklet. The event will be the first weekend in August.

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com