Press Room
Rockbridge Regional Tourism Gives Local Events Financial Boost
LEXINGTON, Va. (June 28, 2021) – The Rockbridge Regional Tourism Board has awarded more than $8,000 to local event planners in phase one of their event sponsorship program, an initiative approved in March 2021 to assist with COVID recovery in 2021 and 2022.
The first round of funds totaling $9,000 were dedicated to events occurring between July 1 and December 31, 2021 and were evaluated based on the strength of the application and how well the event goals align with regional tourism goals and objectives.
Together, nine events received $8,250 in sponsorship funding: Lime Kiln Summer Concert Series ($1,600); Large Car Mag Southern Classic Truck Show ($1,400); 25th Annual Wade’s Mill Apple Butter Festival ($1,300); Luminary Nights at Natural Bridge State Park ($1,100); Rockbridge Regional Fair and Expo ($800); July 4th Fireworks Celebration ($600); Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, and Marathon Relay ($600); Music in the Garden Series at Boxerwood Nature Center & Woodland Garden ($450); and Rockbridge Pie Festival ($400). The remaining $350 of funding will be rolled over into phase two for events occurring January 1 through June 30, 2022. The application deadline will be announced at a future date at LexingtonVirginia.com/sponsorships.
“We were pleased to have immediate interest in our sponsorship opportunity and thankful to have the ability to help organizers regain footing after the losses of 2020,” said Tourism Director Jean Clark. “Events are once again filling calendars and folks are becoming more comfortable with getting out to enjoy special experiences. Tourism is rebounding and it’s our resilient hospitality partners we have to thank.”
In addition to the sponsorship program, the Lexington Visitor Center hosted a fundraiser luncheon by CHEFS Catering during National Travel & Tourism Week in May. The luncheon was in partnership with the Rockbridge Regional Tourism Board, Freedom Food Festival Steering Committee, and local Community and Economic Development office, and benefitted Independence Week events. The $1,550 of proceeds from the luncheon were equally divided and distributed to Balloons Over Rockbridge, Fairfield Village, Hull’s Drive-In Theater, July 4th Fireworks Celebration, and Lime Kiln Theater. Their respective event details can be found at LexingtonVirginia.com/events.
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