Greetings Patrick,
Director of Economic Development and Tourism
It has been a while since we last spoke. We have been swamped during the last few weeks as the summer season is rapidly coming to an end. August was an exciting month for Tourism. Our Magazine won the Best Magazine Guide at the Friends of Southwest Virginia Tourism Summit again this year. Wayne Kirkpatrick, one of our Tourism Advisory Committee Members, who is also a Rotarian and an outstanding community member, won Volunteer of the Year. Primland, Auberge Resorts Collection, won Outstanding Accommodations of the Year, and I was blessed to receive the Tourism Executive of the Year award.
Our staff participated in the National Night Out hosted by our excellent Sheriff’s Department. We want to express our sincere gratitude to Dan Smith and his team for their outstanding work in serving and protecting both our citizens and the tourists who visit our grand county. Our department sponsored the “Country Music Under the Stars” at Dominion Valley Park and “Manna Fest”, which was held at Rotary Field this year. Both were well attended. We had a booth at the Meadows of Dan “Folk Fair” and spoke to hundreds of people visiting from all over the state and North Carolina. As the month was coming to a close, we had two outstanding events scheduled for the Labor Day weekend. One was the “Front Porch Fest” at Spirithaven Farm and the “Gospel Music Festival” at Dominion Valley Park. Both events were well attended, with campers and festival-goers enjoying their respective genres of music. As you can see, Patrick County was booming in August.
Well, we are gearing up for the September “showdown”. The Patrick County Fair is beginning this week. The weather looks to be favorable. By the time you read this, the Demolition Derby has already happened. Tourism was a major sponsor, and the arena at the fairgrounds was packed. Also, you should be seeing our outstanding new fall Magazine hitting the stands this week. Rebecca Adcock, David Stanley, Kim Rakes, Grace Cooper, and each of the exceptional writers have produced another “hit”!! The dedication that our team has to the publication is absolutely phenomenal. This edition will once again showcase the charm, history, and greatness of Patrick County. I am honored to be a part of such a great team. We are Blessed!!! So, many things have happened, and I probably missed something. Well, charge it to my head and not my heart!!
Patrick, please keep checking our website for many amazing events taking place throughout the county. No matter where you are, something is happening. You have to find yourself here.
Love Ya, Patrick!!
James Houchins
Director of Economic Development and Tourism
