Lynchburg Living

Community NEWS

FOUR LYNCHBURG AREA MUSEUMS PARTICIPATING AS “BLUE STAR MUSEUMS” THIS SUMMER

Four area museums are participating in Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and more than 1,300 museums across America. As a result, Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, The Lynchburg Museum System, the National D-Day Memorial and Old City Cemetery will offer free admission to active military personnel and their families through Labor Day.

“Blue Star Museums may be the program at the NEA of which I am proudest,” said NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman. “Blue Star Museums recognizes and thanks our military families for all they are doing for our country, and simultaneously begins young people on a path to becoming life-long museum goers.”

This year, more than 1,324 museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative. Museum participants were recruited through the combined efforts of the American Association of Museums, the Association of Art Museum Directors, the Association of Children’s Museums and the American Association of State and Local History. Participants this year include a wide range of art, history and science museums, as well as nature centers and 70 children’s museums.

For the complete list of participating Blue Star Museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

DISCOVER LYNCHBURG RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARKETING LYNCHBURG

Discover Lynchburg, the Lynchburg Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau (LRCVB), received three top Virgo awards last month at the 2011 Virginia Tourism Summit. The Virgo awards are presented annually by the Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau to recognize the finest tourism marketing and promotional work in the state.

Discover Lynchburg won the top award for the best Advertising Campaign-Print with its fall launch of the “(_____) Starts Here” campaign, produced by Prototype Advertising of Forest, VA.

“It is a great, versatile campaign adaptable to all interests and niche markets,” Beckie Nix, director of the LRCVB, said. “And it integrates mobile phone technology to target the rising Gen X and Millennial travelers.”

The second top award was received for best International Marketing Initiative, which was given to Discover Lynchburg for their recent launch of a Viral Video Series in multiple languages.

“This series can be viewed on social sites such as YouTube, Facebook, our website and others,” Denise Jackson of Discover Lynchburg said. “There are four videos in English, Spanish, French and German currently up and running, two more being filmed at this time and many more to follow during the remainder of 2011. It is a great product and helps us to reach that critical international market of travelers coming in and out of the [Washington] D.C. area.”

Discover Lynchburg was also honored with the top award for “Sales Team of the Year.” This award is given to the sales department of a CVB showing significant increases in closed business with positive economic impact on their destination.

“I am especially proud of this award, as our sales department consists of two members. These ladies were up against resort destinations and northern Virginia communities with both staff and budgets multiple times our size,” Nix said.

Last year, the Sales Department of Discover Lynchburg increased closed lodging sales alone by 77 percent, and showed a tenfold increase since the beginning of the current tourism contract two years ago.

“In these tough economic times, tourism continues to prove itself in bringing new money into the community and its businesses … a tax revenue stream for the city,” Nix said. “You just can’t argue with that kind of return on investment; one that also keeps residents’ taxes down and quality of life high.”

For more information, visit www.discoverlynchburg.org.

7^TH ANNUAL HORSE AND HOUND WINE FESTIVAL SET FOR JULY 9

The Seventh annual Horse and Hound Wine Festival takes place on July 9 on the grounds of Johnson’s Orchards in Bedford County. Nine wineries will be present for tastings and purchases. Live music, food and arts and craft vendors will also be on-site.

The unique wine festival also features many events with dogs and horses, including the opportunity to participate and receive trophies and ribbons in events, such as lure coursing, muskrat racing and agility and obedience trials.

Horses of all breeds will also parade for ribbons and monetary prizes, and a meet and greet of the horses and riders is available afterward. New this year is the “Kiddie Korral” with activities for children throughout the day. There will also be pony and horse rides for an additional charge.

Part of the proceeds of the festival will go to Commonwealth Search and Rescue, Brook Hill Retirement Center for Horses, All-American Mutt Rescue and Bedford Humane Society.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. Children under 12 and dogs are $5; children under two are free. More information is available at www.bedfordwine.com or www.horseandhoundfestival.com, by calling the Bedford Welcome Center at (540) 587-5681 or Peaks of Otter Winery at (540) 586-3707.