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Tourism Week Festivities Hagerstown-Washington County Tourism Week was celebrated May 9-15 in addition to official observances of National Tourism Week and Maryland Tourism Week. Special displays were set up at the I-70 East Welcome Center and the I-70 West Welcome Center. Prizes and give-aways were also organized. Vendors and exhibitors from around the region volunteered their assistance. Even Emus got in the act, with the Old Orchard Emu Farm setting up a display at the I-70 West Welcome Center for May 14th's events. The Hagerstown-Washington County CVB held special observances with an Open House on May 11th. The ceremonies included presentations from the Mayor of Hagerstown and the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County. Door prizes and other give-aways were donated by CVB members. "Tourism means
an annual economic impact on Washington County of $165-Million,"
said Washington County Commissioner President Greg Snook. "Visitors
are certainly welcome in Washington County, and the tourism industry is
one of the strongest parts of our diversified economy." Press Tour of Washington County The Maryland Office of Tourism has joined with the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau in hosting a tour of international, national, and regional magazine and newspaper writers. The "Crossroads of the Civil War" Press Tour features Maryland's Civil War Trails in Washington County. Journalists from around the world toured Antietam National Battlefield, C&O Canal National Historic Park, and sites throughout the area May 17-19. "It's important that travel writers understand what happened here," said CVB President Tom Riford. "Seeing first-hand the hallowed ground around Sharpsburg, biking the C&O Canal Towpath, and even floating down the Potomac River can help foster favorable reporting about our area. We're very glad to be involved in a positive public relations activity that can lead to people around the world reading articles about our county. Antietam Battlefield is considered to be the most pristine Civil War battlefield in the country, and having potential visitors read about our historic heritage is critical for our continued name recognition and image enhancement." The Press Tour was an invitation-only event, and included visiting sites in nearby Frederick County. The National Museum of Civil War Medicine and Monocacy National Battlefield were also on the agenda. National Pike Festival and Wagon Train Scheduled
for May 14-16 Organizers of the National Pike Festival and Wagon Train announced this year's schedule of events. Festival spokesperson Laura Bowman said, "This year was a special year of old-fashioned town festivals, parades, flea markets, yard sales and bake sales, antique cars, lots of entertainment, and of course the historic wagon train." The festival was
scheduled for Friday, May 14, with a wagon train encampment open to the
public from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. The encampment's headquarters was at the
American Legion on South Martin Street in Clear Spring. There was also
a parade in Clear Spring on Saturday, May 15. The historic wagon train
traveled along the National Pike from Clear Spring to Huyetts Crossroads,
through the City of Hagerstown, finishing with celebrations in Boonsboro
at Shafer Memorial Park on Sunday, May 16. For a complete schedule
of events, CLICK
HERE 9th Annual Western Maryland Blues Fest Set for June 4-6
On Saturday June
5, the festival will experiment with new surroundings by moving its "Saturday
Street Festival" from the Public Square to the Central Parking Lot.
Event planners anticipate that the move will allow for an easier setup
for Saturday's activities, and cause less disruption to traffic and merchants
in the Downtown Business District. Saturday will again feature two stages
providing nearly continuous blues performances by eight different groups
from 11:30 a.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. Performances will include
highly regarded national artists, including past W. C. Handy Award winners
and nominees, as well as new and noteworthy regional talent. Most of Blues
Fest's 2004 talent roster is acts never-before-seen in Hagerstown. For
more information about all the performers, see: www.blues-fest.org.
On Sunday, June 6,
the Blues Fest will also continue its tradition of giving back to the
community with its free admission, "Family Blues Picnic" in
City Park. Sunday events will begin at noon at the Park Bandshell. Skate Park Dudes and Dudettes Catch Air The City of Hagerstown's Skate Park is open for the 2004 season. The Skate Park is located at Fairgrounds Park, lower grandstand, 400 North Mulberry Street and is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 4 p.m. Participants should use the North Canon Avenue entrance. "The Skate Park is very popular, and we are looking forward to a great season," Recreation Supervisor Jamie Shyda said. Two new ramps have been added this year. A four-foot high flybox and a four-foot quarter pipe have been installed. Ms. Shyda explained that there is a nominal fee of $5 to participate. All skaters are required to wear a helmet, as well as elbow and knee pads which are available for rent for $1 per hour. Also, all participants are required to sign a release form. If a skater is under 18, a guardian or parent must provide a signature. For more information call the City of Hagerstown's Parks and Recreation Department at 301-739-8577 ext. 169. Catch Air, Dudes! Antique Auto Club of America Area hotels are bracing for the largest antique automobile show in the history of Washington County. The Antique Auto Cub of America will hold its Eastern Division National Spring Meet in Hagerstown/Washington County on June 18 & 19, 2004. The Hagerstown/Washington County Convention & Visitors Bureau has been working with the Mason Dixon Antique Auto Club (the host chapter) on this significant convention for over two years. "This has been a long time coming," said Betsy DeVore, Director of Convention Sales. "We anticipate approximately 1,500 attendees for this show," The events will take
place at the Washington County Agriculture/Education Center on Sharpsburg
Pike. Saturday's show is open to the public and there will be food available.
For more info, please contact Betsy DeVore, via email: betsyd@marylandmemories.org,
or call 301-791-3246. Meetings & Conventions Business On The Rise Meetings & Conventions
business continues to gain momentum in Washington County. The CVB has
9,325 rooms booked thus far, which is 40% above the record pace of last
year. The CVB has also submitted bids for an additional 3,000 prospective
room nights. "We are attracting meetings and events that are usually
held in more exotic locations. We have competed against major metro areas
and we have been successful at attracting significant conventions,"
said Betsy DeVore, Director of Convention Sales. World War II Memorial Dedication Weekend Expanding into Washington County Area hotels are receiving scores of calls for Memorial Day weekend which happens to be the same weekend as the World War II Memorial dedication in Washington, DC. According to Maryland tourism officials, hotel rooms are being booked as far away as Cumberland, MD and Harrisburg, PA for this event. The CVB has been
providing other Maryland CVB's with hotel availability information over
that weekend. If CVB members would like information submitted for referral
opportunities, contact Betsy DeVore, Director of Convention Sales, at
betsyd@marylandmemories.org,
or call 301-791-3246. Upcoming Trade Shows Betsy DeVore had
a booth at the Maryland Society of Association Executives annual trade
show on Friday, May 14, 2004, in Annapolis, MD. The Clarion Hotel also
attended as a CVB booth partner. The cost is $25 for registration, and
travel expenses. This trade show allows the CVB to network and talk one
on one with meeting planners from the association market segment located
in the Baltimore area. For more info on partnering, please contact Betsy
DeVore, Director of Convention Sales, at betsyd@marylandmemories.org,
or call 301-791-3246. Convention Announced The CVB is pleased
to announce that the Maryland Association of Social Services Boards has
selected Hagerstown-Washington County as the location for the group's
annual convention. The organization will come to Hagerstown on October
14 & 15, 2004. The convention will bring 120 attendees and will be
headquartered at the Four Points by Sheraton. Additional hotel rooms are
being reserved at the Comfort Suites. While visiting Washington County,
the attendees plan to also visit Prime Outlets and area museums. UK Interest in Washington County's Civil War History Gigi Yelton attended
International POW-WOW in California. This trade show is a co-op with the
Office of Tourism. The show is international in scope and by attending,
Yelton discovered through the tourism office UK representatives that they
receive 15-20 requests every month regarding Civil War interest specific
to Antietam and Hagerstown. Also, several international tour companies
such as CIE and Irish receptive are already selling Civil War packages
with one of our members Wingrove Manor, as an overnight. We will be receiving
such leads from the UK and will be sharing them with our members. Washington County on the Road: May 19th The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted a training session for front-line tourism staffers. The free "familiarization tour" is a semi-annual event. It assists hotels, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses by educating their employees about Washington County. The purpose of this event is to familiarize local staff and management with the tourist attractions in Hagerstown-Washington County. "This helps the front-line staff person to relay accurate information to visitors, and it often leads to guests to our community staying extra nights, said Gigi Yelton, Director of Leisure Travel Sales. "This event has been helpful for anyone dealing with visitors. We've also found that visitors come back, when they have received accurate and helpful details about our community." "Washington County On The Road" took place Wednesday, May 19th, 2004. Employees of CVB member-businesses were welcome to attend, to learn more about all of the sites, attractions, parks, museums, and events in Washington County. Thank you to those members who participated. The day included breakfast, lunch and snacks on the motorcoach provided by the CVB and Atlantic Coast Charters. If you are interested
in future tours please contact Gigi Yelton at 301-791-3246. AAA Open House; May 14-June 30, 2004 To take advantage of an increase in "driving" vacations, the CVB is hosting its 3rd annual promotion targeted directly at all AAA offices in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, DC, New York, New Jersey and Ohio. We've already received several reservations from AAA employees! The invitation is being hailed as a wonderful idea (see graphic of part of what was sent to AAA offices.) This "Washington
County Open House" promotion is designed to allow AAA employees,
including travel counselors, travel agents and tour planners, the opportunity
to see the area, so they will encourage AAA members to visit Washington
County. The CVB's goal is to host 100 AAA employees during this promotion.
The effective dates
of this promotion are May 14, 2004, through June 30, 2004, except for
Memorial Day Weekend. This event attracts interest from throughout the
Mid-Atlantic, and helps showcase Washington County to the leisure travel
market.
CVB Member Named Finalist for State-Wide
Award DH WEB, Inc. (http://www.dhwebsites.com) has been named as a Top-Three Finalist in the Maryland 2004 Incubator Companies of the Year Awards. The Hagerstown-based company was a nominee in the Technology Service Company category. Incubator companies are located in office or research complex facilities, which help new or emerging businesses grow. DH WEB, Inc. is a resident tenant in the Technical Innovation Center located at the Hagerstown Community College. The TIC operates as an economic development program, to attract high-technology companies to Hagerstown, and also to help high-tech businesses grow. In addition to the Technology Service Company of the Year Award category this year's award categories include: Lifescience Company, Information Technology Company, Technology Transfer Company, New Incubator Company, and Graduate Company of the Year. The 2004 Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards ceremony will be held at the Center Club in Baltimore on June 16, 2004. The purpose of the 2004 Maryland Incubator Companies of the Year Awards is to publicly recognize achievements by current clients and graduates of Maryland incubators and to provide a forum for the nominees to increase their visibility in the business, technology and investment communities. DH WEB, Inc. provides web site design, hosting, and support for the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and several other businesses in Washington County. Additionally, DH WEB provides web support for clients around the world. LongHorn Steakhouse Opens At Prime Outlets CVB Member Prime Outlets-Hagerstown has announced the opening of a new restaurant. The LongHorn Steakhouse is located at 1000 Prime Outlets Blvd. Hagerstown, MD 21740 (phone: 301-393-8119). The new steakhouse is open for lunch and dinner, and is owned and managed by Rick Chalker. "We've taken the best of the West and created a place where you can relax and unwind in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. At Hagerstown's new LongHorn, we use only the finest quality beef, chicken, pork and seafood and grill each item to order. The burgers are thick and juicy, the salads freshly made. It's a recipe for freshness that our guests have already come to depend on." The restaurant opened at the end of April, and has already received rave reviews. Additionally, more than 90 employees were hired and trained for the new Hagerstown location. The restaurant seats more than 175 people, and is a welcome addition to the Washington County familiy of businesses. LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants are located in 22 states, mostly in the South, Mid-West, and North-East. There are currently five in Maryland. Educators Enjoy Free Weekend Compliments of Jellystone Park Nearly 600 educators from across the state of Maryland enjoyed a free three-day stay at Washington County's Yogi Bear Jellystone Resort during the first weekend in May. Campground owners Ron and Vicki Vitkun decided that because of the hard work teachers do, they deserved something nice in return. They stipulated that reservations would be on a first-come, first-served basis and teachers had to fax in some kind of identification that confirmed that they were indeed educators. The news of the free weekend spread quickly and the campground was filled. The event was so successful that the Vitkuns
plan to continue it next year, honoring another group of public servants
such as police or firefighters. Welcome New Members
Swords Charter
Services Calendar of Events Visit the CVB's online Calendar or Events for a complete list of events being held in Washington County. If you would like to receive a supply of the brochure-version, contact Lisa Carle at 301-791-3246. Click Here For the Calendar.
CVB Staff On the Road
Want to see your business or organization featured in the next newsletter? Do you have news to share, special events, staff changes or promotions? Contact Charissa Stanton, Newsletter Editor at charissa@marylandmemories.org or fax to 301-791-2601 to be included in the next edition!
Hagerstown/Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau
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Hagerstown's
premier musical festival will soon open its ninth year! Event organizers
recently announced another strong lineup of national, regional and local
blues musicians. The three-day event will again open with a Friday Night
"Lotta Blues Show" starting at 4:00 p.m. in the City's Central
Parking Lot off North Potomac Street. Admission for Friday's show is $10.
Several performers are scheduled.
Extra! Extra!