The Patrick County Tourism Department held its inaugural Tourism Achievement Award presentation at the December meeting of the Patrick County Tourism Advisory Council (TAC). Award recipients are tourism-related businesses that are dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of the tourism industry in the county, according to a news release. The Tourism Advisory Council selected the following winners: the Meadows of Dan Community Association, Wayside Park, and Fairy Stone State Park. The award states: “Your establishment has been recognized as a promoter of tourism in our beautiful county, all while preserving our cultural, historical or natural heritage and beauty. You have worked to enhance your local resources through multi-business cooperatives, and imaginative and innovative development efforts.” The selection process was “very difficult,” the news release states, adding that “award recipients are those that achieve the highest standard of excellence in our tourism industry, setting the standard for other local establishments.” The awards were presented by Joseph Quesenberry, director of tourism and marketing, and Denise Stirewalt, economic development and tourism associate. Recipients were John Grooms, manager of Fairy Stone State Park; Danny and Patty Hazelwood, owners of Wayside Park; and Trinity Goad, president of the Meadows of Dan Community Association. [caption id="attachment_114" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="http://www.mountainmedianews.com/enterprise/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wayside-Park.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-114" src="http://www.mountainmedianews.com/enterprise/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Wayside-Park-300x175.jpg" alt="Pictured (from left) are Danny Hazelwood, Joseph Quesenberry, Patty Hazelwood and Denise Stirewalt." width="300" height="175" /></a> Pictured (from left) are Danny Hazelwood, Joseph Quesenberry, Patty Hazelwood and Denise Stirewalt.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_75" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="http://www.mountainmedianews.com/enterprise/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Fairy-Stone.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-75" src="http://www.mountainmedianews.com/enterprise/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Fairy-Stone-300x268.jpg" alt="Pictured (from left) are Denise Stirewalt and John Grooms." width="300" height="268" /></a> Pictured (from left) are Denise Stirewalt and John Grooms.[/caption]
