“For over 20 years, the Johnston County Visitors Bureau has been supporting organizations that host events and festivals, performing arts and sporting events in the county. Marketing grants help these organizations with advertising and promotional brochures which helps to bring thousands of visitors to Johnston County each year”, said Donna Bailey-Taylor, Executive Director, Johnston County Visitors Bureau.

List of 2009-2010 Special Event Grant recipients are:

Archer Lodge Family Fun Day 4th – $250
Ava Gardner Museum – Ava Festival – $250
Benson Chamber of Commerce – Mule Days – $1,000
Benson Chamber of Commerce – Sundown in Downtown – $250
Benson Downtown Development – Benson Stroll – $250
Benson Parks & Recreation – 4th of July – $250
Benson State Singing Convention – $500
Bentonville Battlefield 145th Anniversary Reenactment – $1000
Clayton Chamber of Commerce – Harvest Festival – $750
Clayton Area Development Association – Oktoberfest – $250
Clayton Area Development Association – Millstock – $250
Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation – Destino – $250
Clayton Cultural Arts Foundation – John Pizzarcelli – $250
Clayton Youth Theatre – Once On This Island – $250
Clayton Youth Theatre – Pippin – $250
Celebrate Cleveland – July Event – $250
Cleveland Chamber of Commerce – Strawberry Festival – $500
Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation – Ham & Yam – $1,000
Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation – Ava Film Festival – $250
Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce – Oaktober Fest – $250
Four Oaks Chamber of Commerce – Acorn Festival – $500
Johnston Community College – Arboretum Southern Symposium – $250
Johnston Community College – Country Music Showcase – $500
Keep Johnston County Beautiful – Festival of Trees – $250
Kenly Chamber of Commerce – Krusin’ Kenly – $500
McGee’s Crossroads Ringing of the Bells, 4th of July – $250
Neuse Little Theatre – A Few Good Men – $250
Neuse Little Theatre – The Diary of Anne Frank – $250
Selma Development Partnership – East Coast Antique Show – $250
Selma Development Partnership – Selma Car Classic – $250
Selma Parks & Recreation – Railroad Days – $750
Selma Parks & Recreation – All American Fest July 4 – $250
Smithfield Parks & Recreation – 4th of July – $250
Southern Johnston Baseball Association
Tarheel League District V Tournament – $250
Southern Johnston Baseball Association
Southern Johnston Invitational – $250
Tobacco Farm Life Museum – Fall Heritage – $500
Tobacco Farm Life Museum – Anniversary Event- $500
Town of Pine Level – 4th of July – $250
Town of Princeton Veteran’s Day – $250

The NC Division of Tourism recently released the 2008 statewide tourism expenditures numbers and spending in Johnston County was $179.26 million which reflects a 3% increase over 2007 numbers in a very challenging economic climate. Johnston County is the third largest tourism destination along the I-95 Corridor behind Fayetteville and Rocky Mount, and the third largest in the Triangle after Wake and Durham Counties.

Festivals and event promotion is only one part of the Visitors Bureau overall marketing objectives to attract and serve visitors to the county. The mission of the Visitors Bureau is to market the destinations throughout the county, thereby, encouraging utilization of accommodations, retail outlets, restaurants, heritage sites, museums, entertainment, and recreation venues for the community’s economic benefit.

Outlet Shopping draws 7 million shoppers to Smithfield each year.

Visitor spending in Johnston County was $179.23 in 2008 which generated $9.71 million in state taxes and $4.83 million in local taxes. Tourism supports over 4,000 jobs throughout the county and $29 million in payroll.

Gov. Bev Perdue announced that 62 of the state’s 100 counties saw increases in visitor spending in 2008, including 16 counties that had increases of more than 5 percent.

Data from the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development showed domestic visitors to and within North Carolina spent a record $16.9 billion in 2008, an increase of 2.1 percent from 2007.

Visitor expenditures directly generated 190,500 jobs and nearly $4.2 billion in payroll income within North Carolina in 2008. Payroll increased 3.9 percent from 2007. Visitor spending in the state also directly generated close to $2.7 billion in tax revenue for federal, state and local governments in 2008, up 3.6 percent from 2007.

The visitor spending figures are the results of an annual study commissioned by the Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development and conducted by the U.S. Travel Association. The study uses sales and tax revenue data plus employment figures to determine the overall impact of visitor spending in North Carolina.

The ribbon cutting for the centerpiece of the Smithfield Community Park is the result of 8 years of planning by many local citizens, and a newly formed public/private partnership between the Town of Smithfield and Johnston County Schools.

The new center has been welcomed with open arms by the community and now has over 1800 members. The center is buzzing with recreational activities, art classes, exercise classes, swim lessons and community meetings.

For more information, visit the website, www.smithfieldrecreationandaquaticscenter.blogspot.com

What a sense of accomplishment

The center is located on Booker Dairy Rd., adjacent to the Smithfield/Selma High School which has a new field house, double gym, locker rooms and weight room. The remainder of the center includes racketball courts, exercise room, all purpose room, meeting room, offices for the recreation department and a competition size pool and kid’s play pool.

See attached photos of children playing in the kiddie pool. The facility will be used for meetings, sporting events, and social activities for the entire county. As well as, the local hotel community will be able to offer day passes for a fee to visitors.

This $12 million dollar facility will be an incredible asset for the entire county and will have an impact in bringing sporting groups to the county. For more information contact the Smithfield Parks & Recreation Department, 919-934-2148.

Kids playing at the Smithfield Recreation & Aquatics Center

Tourism in Johnston County generated $174 million in visitor spending in 2007 and supports 4,500 jobs in the county. The $13.1 million in state and local taxes provided by visitors saves residents of Johnston County approximately $245 in property taxes each year.
Outlet shopping may be the driving force behind the local visitor economy attracting over 9 million visitors to Carolina Premium Outlets and JR Outlets, however while shoppers are here, they also seek out other attractions and events to enhance their visit. Top visitor attractions in the county include the American Music Jubilee Theatre, Ava Gardner Museum, Howell Woods, Clemmons State Forest, Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Bentonville Battlefield and Hinnant Winery. Major festivals, antique shopping, agri-tourism and the performing arts add to the activities that attract visitors to the county, making Johnston County a diverse destination.

“With so many great reasons to visit Johnston County, we find there are niche markets for our Visitors Bureau to focus upon, and we are responding more and more to visitor’s individual motives for travel. “One size fits all marketing” does not do us justice, so we are branching out with social networking sites and blogs to attract more visitors to the county”, said Donna Bailey-Taylor, Executive Director of the Visitors Bureau.

On May 14 and 15, the Johnston County Visitors Bureau will travel to the NC Welcome Centers on I-95 to celebrate with the travel counselors that greet visitors all year long as they enter North Carolina. The Visitors Bureau will have tables, tents, food, and take several visitor industry partners to the welcome centers to talk to visitors, hand-out brochures and encourage them to stop, stay, shop and visit Johnston County this week and every visit they make along I-95.

“The welcome centers on I-95 are the most visited centers in the state, with over 3.5 million visitors seeking information and assistance from the state-staffed facility. These ambassadors of tourism are a treasure and provide a wealth of information for the state, tirelessly promoting not only the I-95 corridor but the entire state”, stated Bailey-Taylor. “We greatly appreciate all that they do year-round and we enjoy spending the day with them celebrating National Tourism Week”.

History of National Travel and Tourism Week
National Travel and Tourism Week was established as National Tourism Week in 1983 when the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution designating the week to be celebrated in May 1984. In a White House ceremony, President Ronald Reagan signed a Presidential Proclamation urging citizens to observe the week with “the appropriate ceremonies and activities.” Industry leaders and public relations professionals from the major travel and tourism trade associations were the first volunteers to manage the annual event. By January 1986 industry leaders had formed a permanent full-time office at the U.S. Travel Association to sponsor the event and expand tourism awareness into year-round programs.

The home course of Smithfield native and PGA Professional, Neal Lancaster, CCJC sits upon the shores of Holt Lake between Smithfield and Four Oaks on highway 301, just two minutes from Interstate 95. The golf course features Bermuda grass greens, tees and fairways all manicured to highlight the surroundings. The challenging par 72 golf course, measuring 6630 yards, has four sets of tees for players of all ages and skill level. Normal pace of play is 3.5 – 4.0 hours. Included on the property is a natural grass driving range and a challenging putting green.

The Golf Shop on site carries all of the major brands with the ability to special order any golf related item and The Club Grille features an extensive menu selection including hamburgers, hot dogs, club sandwiches, salads, certain breakfast items, and all the popular beverages including a fully stocked bar.

Tee times may be made within 7 days of the date you wish to play by calling 919-934-4544. Green fees are $30 for a weekday and $42 on the weekend.

Country Club of Johnston County
694 Country Club Road
Smithfield, North Carolina 27577
919-934-4544
www.ccjohnstoncounty.com

With the search and interviewing completed, the bureau welcome two new staff members, Angel Phillips and Amanda Williamson. Angel will fill the position of Office Manager for the bureau. Angel most recently worked in Clayton for insurance company Stephenson & Associates and lives outside Selma. Married to Warren Phillips, Angel has three sons and is earning her Business Administration Degree from Mt. Olive College through a program with Johnston Community College.

Amanda will handled the Sales & Marketing Managers position and will attend tradeshows, manage the bureau’s database, fulfill visitor inquiries and bulk distribution throughout the county. Amanda has just graduated with a Masters in Tourism, from North Carolina State University and will be moving to the Four Oaks area this Spring.

We welcome them both to the Johnston County Visitors Bureau and look forward to their contributions to the tourism industry in the county and working with them for years to come.

The Johnston County Arts Council will highlight its Big Read program in celebration of “To Kill A Mockingbird”with a FREE film screening on Friday, February 20th at 7pm. The 1962 classic film version featuring Gregory Peck will be shown in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium on the Johnston Community College Campus. The Big Read in Johnston County is presented in partnership by The Johnston County Arts Council and The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.

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Dr. Karl Campbell presents ‘The North Carolina Way: Civil Rights and Wrongs in the Twentieth Century’ at The Clayton Center

The Johnston County Arts Council will highlight its Big Read program in celebration of “To Kill A Mockingbird”with a FREE lecture on Monday, February 23rd at 7pm at The Clayton Center. Dr. Karl Campbell, Associate Professor of History at Appalachian State University, will provide an overview of Tar Heel race relations from the Wilmington Race Riot of 1898 to the 2001 court ruling ending busing in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Audience questions and comments will be taken at the end of the program. The Big Read in Johnston County is presented in partnership by The Johnston County Arts Council and The Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.

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Keowee Chamber Music comes to Johnston County in March

The Johnston County Arts Council is pleased to announce an exciting program for students in Johnston County! Keowee Chamber Music in collaboration with Cuarteto La Catrina will present Fandango, Tango, Huapango, on March 16th and 17th at The Clayton Center, to 5th grade students from area elementary schools.

Fandango, Tango, Huapango highlights the vibrancy of Latin music, art, dance, and culture in the beauty and transparent intimacy of a chamber setting. Accompanied by dancers and a background of colorful Latin American art, the works performed span the 18th to the 21st century and include Boccherini’s Fandango for guitar and string quartet, music of Argentineans Alberto Ginastera and Astor Piazolla, and Mexican composers Jose Pablo Moncayo and Silvertre Revueltas.

Each performance is 50 minutes in length and cARTwheels offers educational materials that align with the NC Standard Course of Study, demonstrating the connection between the performance and schoolwork.

Studies have found that early exposure to the arts provide critical benefits that help students achieve success. The arts influence how children think, interpret, imagine and communicate-skills essential to success in school, work and life.

Fandango, Tango, Huapango is part of the cARTwheels program, sponsored by the North Carolina Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Cultural Resources. This program also received administrative support from the Johnston County Arts Council.

For more information on this program or the Johnston County Arts Council, please contact the office at 919-553-1930 or at info@johnstoncountyarts.org.

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En Plein Air – Calling all Artists!

The Johnston County Arts Council will host a number of plein air paint-outs this year for those artists interested in getting together to paint for a few hours around Johnston County. The first plein air paint out will be Thursday, March 19 from 9am-4pm.

What is “Plein Air”

Pronounced “(plan’âr’, ple-ner’)”, it is a French term used for drawing and painting in the out-of-doors and painting or drawing directly from nature. Because of the portability of so many art supplies and media, plein air gatherings have become very popular.

Plein air art groups are common throughout our region, but the Johnston County Plein Air group will place emphasis on capturing the beauty, mystery, places, people and attractions found throughout the county. The first location of the Plein Air Paint-out is a private residence in Johnston County.

Who is Welcome?

While this group is open to anyone wishing to join the gathering, we are hoping to have individuals who are planning to paint during the session. Guests of those painting are more than welcome, but since there will be no ’supervision’ per se, please be certain that those not painting can be left on their own.

Media/Style/Subjects?

Artists be creative!! ANY media can be used at a plein air event – watercolor, oil, acrylic, pen and ink, scratchboard, pastel, crayons, colored pencils, some artists even ‘paint’ with the damp earth and blossom juices. Whatever medium ’speaks’ to the artist for his or her particular vision provided by the plein air location is welcome. The same freedom of creative approach applies to the ’style’ of the working artist – representational, impressionistic, figurative, romantic, luminous, abstract, poetic – artists’ choice.

More than anything, plein air is FUN! It’s challenging, ever-changing, inspirational, exciting, with an opportunity to meet other like-minded, creative individuals.

For more information, please visit the Johnston County Arts Council website at www.johnstoncountyarts.org. For questions, call Lin Frye, (919) 209-2052

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Seeking Artists
The Eye of the Eagle Art is seeking Artists and “Green” Vendors to participate in our 2nd annual “Our Green Earth” event to be held on April 18, 2009 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. At the Eye of the Eagle Art center – 131 E. 1st Street, Clayton, NC.

Booth rentals are $25 for a 10 x 10 and $40 for booth sharing. For a registration form visit http://eyeoftheeagleart.com/our-green-earth-event. For questions call 919-585-2461.

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“Top 40 Exhibition” Call for Entries – Don’t miss this opportunity!
Creativity Gathering
Saturday February 21, 2009
4:00 pm – Midnight
FREE: no admission
Venue-River City Arts
109 South Third Street
Smithfield, NC 27577

Join JoCo Artists Guild as we bring together Creative Folks and Folks who like Creative Folks!

Live Music, Exhibitions of Creativity, Live Demonstrations, Door Prizes, Complimentary 2009 JoCo Artists Guild Memberships, Food, Drink, etc…..Sponsored by the JoCo Artist Guild, River City Arts and Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation.

Creative Folks are asked to bring examples of their creations.

JoCo Artists Guild was founded in 2005. JoCo Artists Guild is a not for profit organisation made up of artists dedicated to the education, development and sustainment of the arts in Johnston County and neighbouring counties in North Carolina. Contact: Kirk Adam, President JoCo Artists Guild
KirkAdam@yahoo.com
919 601 3131
www.myspace.com/JoCoArtistsGuild

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Ten Artists from Clayton to Exhibit at The Clayton Center

Ten artist members of Clayton Visual Arts will exhibit artwork at The Clayton Center during February.
They are Dorothy Demboski, Gail O’Neil, Gina Moreland, Janie Prete, June Lioret, Kathy Nobles, Kirk Adam, Linda Strevig, Margaret Ritchie and Ramona Cash. All are residents of Clayton. Their media range from watercolor to oils and others. The exhibit also is free and runs through Feb. 27. The gallery is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Clayton Visual Arts, which sponsors the monthly exhibits, can be reached through P.O. Box 698, Clayton, NC 27528.

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Viva la Benson

Las Vegas is coming to Benson! The Benson Area Chamber of Commerce introduces its first annual Spring Fling event. Come on out the American Legion Building Friday, April 3, 2009 for a spectacular evening of casino games, food, music, and fun. Make it a date night! The Band of Oz will be in concert. Each admission ticket packages funny money for all casino games, great food, a chance at winning a plasma TV, concert ticket, and great food. This exciting evening will be one you will not want to miss. Food will be served and you are welcome to bring your own beverages. Come and shag the night away on a full dance floor with The Band of Oz. This is going to be a great evening of entertainment that you won’t have to cross the desert for! Viva la Benson tickets are $50 and may be purchased through the Chamber. Contact 919.894.3825. Proceeds will benefit Benson Chamber of Commerce Programs. Tickets will be limited, so get yours today!

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Do Not Go Gentle
by Suzan Zeder

Lillian Barron is 84 years old, vibrant, funny, wise, and recently deceased. During her lifetime Lillian shared a special, long-distance bond with her granddaughter Kelly and suffered an estrangement from her son Windsor, a Colonel in the Air Force, as he moved his family from base to base all over the world. After her death, Lillian discovers that she cannot “move on” until the rifts are somehow mended. Windsor and Kelly come to settle Lillian’s affairs and discover that the walls of her house have been painted with wild drawings. Piecing together moments of time and fragments of feeling, Windsor and Kelly make astonishing discoveries about themselves and each other, as they unravel secrets of the paintings. This powerful, poignant play explores the wonder of words and the transformative power of art as it offers humor and hope to anyone who is, or has ever been, a grandparent, parent, or a child.

February 20, 21, 27 & 28, 2009-8PM; February 22, 2009-3PM
Cast List:
Joyce Kilpatrick-Jordan as Lillian Barron
Jessica Salyers as Joanna
Todd Goings as Windsor
Kate Worley as Kelly
Anita Liverman as Mildred Flumac
Monica Piszczor as Nobody

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Farm and Community Market to Open in Clayton

At 8:00, Saturday, April 4th, The Clayton Farm and Community Market (CFCM) will open its stalls on Clayton’s Town Square. Every Saturday from April to October, the CFCM will offer locally-grown fruits and vegetables, herbs, plants, baked goods, arts, and crafts for sale from 8:00 – 1:00. Opening day will be celebrated with dance, music, and children’s activities

The CFCM is looking for:
o VOLUNTEERS — to help on market days
o CFCM MEMBERS – to shape the market’s future
o VENDORS — local growers, artisans, craftspersons, bakers, beekeepers, etc.

For more information: claytonmarket@earthlink.net
Phone: 919-553-2992
Mail: CFCM
P.O. Box 1452
Clayton, NC 27528
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Violin Venus
Saturday, February 14, 2009 ~ 7:00 PM
The Violin Venus show is an exciting mixture of Celtic and Classical Crossover. At only 23 years of age, Jane Hunt has combined her classical violin training with her love for Celtic music to create a shimmering tribute to both. Along with a band that includes the highly acclaimed Irish musicians James Riley and Isaac Alderson, both of whom are regular members of the Eileen Ivers Band, the show has a vibrant energy that can leave audiences spellbound. Complimentary coffee and cheesecake will be
served during intermission.

$15.00 in advance; $17.50 at the door
Contact JCC at 209-2099 for additional details.

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Traveling Oprah Winfrey’s Come To Clayton

The Clayton Center 2008-09 series continues on Feb. 22 with the hilarity and clarity of the Four Bitchin’ Babes in Hormonal Imbalance: A Mood Swinging Musical Revue.

The Babes’ cure for Hormonal Imbalance is one part musical harmony, one part comedy, a pinch of PMS and a heaping helping of sharp social commentary, all baked into an evening of Estrogen-fueled fun. The four outrageously funny and multi-talented musical gal pals – Sally Fingerett, Debi Smith, Nancy Moran and Deirdre Flint – examine and celebrate the lives of today’s men and women offering both poignant views and unbridled comedic commentary on hearth, home and hormones.

The road show that has become the Four Bitchin’ Babes originated in the summer of 1990 when Christine Lavin, the original creative force behind the quartet, had an idea. She gathered four female friends – Fingerett among them – and toured coast to coast. No one could have predicted that the traveling band of babes would create the foundation for 18 years of sorority-like sisterhood that the Babes bring to the stage. In their latest tour, featuring songs from their seventh recording, “Hormonal Imbalance” the Babes are as wild and wacky as ever. With clever lyrics the Babes tackle such topics as the neglectful Boob Fairy, the fine art of being a high school cheerleader and finding a man who cooks. Their humorously observant tales and sisterly advice led The Boston Globe to nickname the group the “Traveling Oprah Winfrey’s.”

The Four Bitchin’ Babes performance begins at 4 p.m. Tickets, which are $25, plus service fees, may be purchased by phone at 919-553-1737, at The Clayton Center Box Office from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.theclaytoncenter.com

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Guitar Heroes Perform In Fourth Annual Blues Bash

CLAYTON, N.C – The term “guitar hero” takes on new meaning on Saturday, March 14, as guitar legend Johnny Winter and local bluesman John Dee Holeman team up for Blues Bash IV at The Clayton Center.

Johnny Winter has been one of the most respected singers and guitar players in rock for more than 30 years. Throughout the 1970s and ’80s, Johnny was the unofficial torch-bearer for the blues, championing and aiding the careers of his idols like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

After signing to Columbia records in 1969, Johnny immediately laid out the blueprint for his fresh take on classic blues – a prime combination for the legions of fans just discovering the blues via the likes of Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton. Constantly shifting between simple country blues in the vein of Robert Johnson, to all-out electric slide guitar blues-rock – Johnny has been the clear link between British blues-rock and American Southern rock (a la the Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd.)

Johnny formed his first band, Johnny and the Jammers, in 1959 at the age of 15, with his 12-year-old brother Edgar on keyboards. However, his big breakthrough came a few years later in 1968 when Rolling Stone writers Larry Sepulvado and John Burks featured him in a piece on the Texas Music scene. The article prompted a bidding war among labels that Columbia Records eventually won. Thus began the legend of Johnny Winter.

“We are thrilled to feature Johnny Winter this season”, Heidi Stump, executive director, said. “The Blues Bash is always such a popular show, and Johnny and John Dee Holeman are a dynamic pairing for this event.”

John Dee Holeman was born in Orange County, North Carolina, in 1929, and has been playing the blues since the age of 14. His repertoire ranges from the older Piedmont country blues to the electric sounds of Lightnin’ Hopkins and B.B. King. In 1988, his achievements as a master Piedmont bluesman earned him a National Heritage Fellowship, the highest cultural award of the National Endowment for the Arts. He also is the 1994 recipient of the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $22 plus service fees. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 919-553-1737, at The Clayton Center Box Office from 10 a.m. until noon and from 1 until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or online at www.theclaytoncenter.com

The Palladian Series will continue on Friday, March 27, with the Jesse Cook Band and ends with the April 25 performance by Kathy Mattea.

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Clayton Poster Contest opens

Clayton Visual Arts is sponsoring its annual Poster Contest and seeks entries from area artists. The 2009 theme is “Places, Spaces and Faces of Clayton.” The winner will receive $1,000. Entry fee is $20, and an artist may enter up to 3 pieces at $20 each. Deadline for receiving entry forms and fees is May 8. Works should be delivered between 1 and 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, to The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., Clayton. Artwork must be 16″ x 20″ or 18″ x 24″ in any full color medium, framed and wired for hanging. All entries will be on display in The Clayton Center lobby during the month of June. A reception for all entering artists will be held 6-7:30 p.m. June 4. The winning entry will be presented to the Town of Clayton. Interested artists may find entry forms at The Clayton News-Star on Ellington Street, the Eye of the Eagle on First Street, and GO Designs on Main Street; on the Johnston County Arts Council website; and by emailing ClaytonVisualArts@rocketmail.com.
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Zilphia Adcock
Johnston County Arts Council
Phone: (919) 553-1930
Fax: (919) 553-2501
www.johnstoncountyarts.org
http://blogs.wncn.info/jcarts/
www.myspace.com/johnstoncountyarts

For a closer look at the activities of the bureau and how tourism affects the local economy, check out this year’s annual report,
http://www.johnstoncountync.org/content/JCVB_AP_07_08.pdf

ABA Fam group visits Ava Gardner Museum

The Charlotte organizing committee has been working on this event for over 12 months, and the Johnston County Visitors Bureau was the team leader on the Hollywood & Vine Pre-Fam. A familiarization tour is often utilized to introduce potential clients to a destination to sample the attractions, hotels and restaurants to sell them on a return visit.

JCVB organized a pre-fam that involved the cities of Durham, Fayetteville and Roanoke Rapids as partners to showcase entertainment, gardens and wineries in the region. The fam consisted of operators from Texas, Washington, Connecticut, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts. The group was based in Selma, as they stayed three nights at the Hampton Inn, and on day one they traveled to Duke Chapel & Gardens and the NC Museum of Life & Science in Durham, and then traveled to the Roanoke Rapids Theatre where 40 plus members of the community welcome the group with music, dinner and a wealth of information from area attractions.

On day two the group visited Fort Bragg for breakfast on base and a tour of the historic district, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, and the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. While in Johnston County the group visited the Ava Gardner Museum, Carolina Premium Outlets, JR Discount Center and Hinnant Vineyard & Winery. A visit to Bentonville Battlefield had to be canceled due to a family illness with one of the attendants. Also, while in the area the group dined at Texas Steakhouse & Saloon in Smithfield and Parkside Cafe in Pine Level.