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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

During a recent meeting of the Evarts Tourist and Convention Commission members wanted the public to know the purpose of tourist commissions is to do all things necessary for the promotion, advertisement and publication of information relating to tourist attractions within its jurisdiction, along with providing activities for its citizens to enjoy.

“Every year the Evarts Tourist Commission gives back to the city of Evarts and all of Clover Fork through the tourism taxes paid,” said acting chairperson Sydney Johnson. “Every year the Evarts Tourist Commission provides free fireworks, a Labor Day Festival with free music to enjoy along with free inflatables for the kids. We organize and host Fourth of July and Christmas parades with prizes given out. We work hard to beautify our city and provide things for everyone on Clover Fork to enjoy. Each member of the commission takes their position seriously and hopes each member of the community is, in turn, proud of the efforts being put forth by this commission to enrich their lives. “

Also discussed during the meeting, was a recent presentation made by Kentucky Adventure Tourism Executive Director Elaine Wilson, saying the city lacks one “snag” in obtaining a trail town designation for the city.

“Once we get this one snag taken care of, we have a really great chance of obtaining this designation,” said city clerk Kristi Lamb. “The snag is Kelly Street, it’s a state roadway and it takes you to the head of Baileys Creek. The city limits stop near the RV park in north Evarts and from there to the end of the road is our snag. It’s approximately .9 tenths of a mile stretch of roadway.”

Lamb said a map is being prepared showing the roadway in question. She said during Wilson’s recent presentation she said once she has this map she will take a request to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the county to see if this small portion of roadway can be designated a county road, which is ATV friendly.

“The city can’t afford to annex the roadway, so this is our best option,” said Lamb. “If we can get pass this speed bump, then we can become a trail town city. Once we get this designation, we are looking at free marketing across the state and nation”

“If our county government wants tourism in this county, they’ll have to go along with this,” said Johnson. “Being designated as a trail town will be such an honor for Harlan County as a whole. We’re all in this together across the county. By working together and promoting our county as a whole will benefit everyone. We sincerely hope members of the fiscal court will consider this and help us in obtaining this designation.”

In other commission action planning began on the upcoming sixth annual Labor Day Festival, which will be held on Sept. 1 from noon until 10 p.m. Prices were set for booths as follows: water and electric needed $20, water only $10, electric only $10 and neither $10. The booth size is 10 feet by 10 feet. All applications are due by Aug. 30. Set up will begin at 10 a.m. This year’s event will also feature fireworks. Any questions or to reserve a booth, you may call 837-0609.

Also approved was to combine with Harlan and Cumberland Tourist commissions in the purchase of a total 100,000 11 X 17 full color, folded in half then tri-folded gloss text tourism brochures.

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