Press Release August 16, 2010: Triple Crown of Watercross Event Makes A Splash on Lake Hartwell
Media Contacts:
•Wendi Bailey, Toccoa-Stephens County (T-SC) Chamber President, 706-886-2132
•Kathy Benson, Anderson, South Carolina Convention & Visitors Bureau Ex. Director, 864-716-3660
•Connie Tabor, Toccoa Mainstreet Director, 706-282-3269
•Larry Torrence, Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance (LHMA) Chair, 706-436-0166, visit www.mylakehartwell.org.
•Upstate Watercraft Promotions has Race Results on www.uwpinc.com
•International Jet Sports Boating Association, www.ijsba.com
•Pictures courtesy of Glenn Brill, Director Anderson County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Division, 864-260-1092
The inaugural Triple Crown Watercross Competition on Lake Hartwell was held August 13-15th at the Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hart County. Over 150 watercraft racers participated and spectators came by car and boat - about 2,500 on Saturday and 3,000 on Sunday, to see speed and stunts. Rob Flores from Las Vegas and Ermino Iantosca from Naples were two points leaders racing to qualify for the upcoming nationals.
Mainstreet Director Connie Tabor and Chamber of Commerce President Wendi Bailey both serve on the Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance (LHMA) board along with other lake-surrounding county’s representatives from Franklin, Hart, Anderson, Pickens and Oconee. The LHMA successfully attracted the Watercross event to the Lake and the board as well as many volunteers organized the weekend activities.
The riders each received Lake Hartwell gift bags at registration with gift items and brochures from each of the counties. All reports indicate they loved the warm weather, deep water and Southern hospitality. It was the perfect environment for the first event of its kind in the southeast!
The PR and media coverage leading up to and during the event, including ESPN brought great visibility to our Lake Hartwell region. WNEG TV News Channel 32, WNEG Radio AM 630 and Advantage Cable Marketing sponsored the event by running commercials created by Good Machine. Riders and spectators came from all over including Canada and Germany. They ate food from Shirley’s Sole Food, heard music from Flash the DJ and learned about the region by visiting the county’s information booths.
T-SC volunteers included Peter and Wendi Bailey, David and Lynn Cox, Harry and Patti Joiner, Don and Connie Tabor and Jackie Whitmire. They helped share information about our T-SC attractions and upcoming events. “Many of the riders are staying in the region before leaving for Charleston, West Virginia for the next race,” said Connie Tabor Mainstreet Director, “we invited them to visit Toccoa-Stephens County attractions, restaurants and retail shops this week.”
On Friday, the counties and sponsors each entered a team of amateurs in the Corporate Challenge. The Toccoa-Stephens County team placed 4th out of 11 teams. Mike Haynie from 1st Franklin Financial Corporation had the fastest team time of 1:07, Peter Bailey, Wendi Bailey and Roger Guimond each had times of 1:08. The Mayor of Hartwell, Jennifer Scott had the overall fastest time of 1:04.
On Saturday, nine types of Riders (beginner to pro) on four types of watercrafts (seated or standing) competed in four types of classes (stock to modified) and five different events (endurance, drag racing to freestyle tricks). Each race begins with 20 racers, male and female, side-by-side all wanting to be first going into turn one.
Upstate Watercraft Promotions, the national promoter partnering with the International Jet Sports Boating Association is looking at venues in Anderson, SC for the 2011 event. Organizers believe it will continue to grow and be an economic boost for the Lake Hartwell region for years to come. “We are excited about the future of the LHMA and the other events being contemplated now, said Wendi Bailey Chamber President. “Tourists don’t see borders, just warm smiles and friendly faces. I came home with brochures from each of the counties and plan to create a new section in our Welcome Center called the Lake Hartwell Region.”
Watercross Event programs, T-shirts, caps, poster art, gift bags and other LHMA souvenir items are still available for purchase. Please call the Chamber at 706-886-2132.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Weekly Chamber Update August 5th, 2010
I have 3 things to share with you today:
First - The Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance is hosting the Triple Crown Watercross Competition on Lake Hartwell August 13th through the 15th, at the Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hart County.
On Friday the 13th, each of the 6 counties around the lake is entering a “4-person relay team” and will compete against other “sponsor teams” for the fastest time on the professional watercross race course. The Awards Ceremony and Beach Party is at 4pm.
On Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm - the top U.S. and international competitors will race around obstacles at speeds up to 80 MPH. There is also a Freestyle event with two minute routines of choreographed tricks set to music. There is a beach volleyball tournament, food vendors from each county, an education area for personal watercraft, and a play area for children.
Bleachers will be provided for spectators and will be located on the dam for optimal viewing of the entire ½ mile and ¾ mile course.
Admission to the races and other events is free. There will be a nominal parking fee and shuttle busses will run from the parking area to the venue.
Volunteers are needed to work both days! Please call the Chamber at 706-886-2132 or visit toccoagachamber.com.
Second - Come by the Welcome Center and meet our newest Volunteers. We now provide regular Hospitality Training classes on Toccoa-Stephens County attractions and assets. Please call 706-886-2132 to sign up for the next training class!
Finally – This morning at 10am we have a Ribbon Cutting Celebration at the Toccoa Veterinary Hospital with new owners Dr. Amy - and her husband John Dorminey at their location on Big A Rd. Hope to see you there!
The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce has over 400 members and is growing. The online Business Directory gets over 850 hits a month. Where else can you get that kind of visibility for pennies a day? Come grow with us!
That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.
First - The Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance is hosting the Triple Crown Watercross Competition on Lake Hartwell August 13th through the 15th, at the Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hart County.
On Friday the 13th, each of the 6 counties around the lake is entering a “4-person relay team” and will compete against other “sponsor teams” for the fastest time on the professional watercross race course. The Awards Ceremony and Beach Party is at 4pm.
On Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm - the top U.S. and international competitors will race around obstacles at speeds up to 80 MPH. There is also a Freestyle event with two minute routines of choreographed tricks set to music. There is a beach volleyball tournament, food vendors from each county, an education area for personal watercraft, and a play area for children.
Bleachers will be provided for spectators and will be located on the dam for optimal viewing of the entire ½ mile and ¾ mile course.
Admission to the races and other events is free. There will be a nominal parking fee and shuttle busses will run from the parking area to the venue.
Volunteers are needed to work both days! Please call the Chamber at 706-886-2132 or visit toccoagachamber.com.
Second - Come by the Welcome Center and meet our newest Volunteers. We now provide regular Hospitality Training classes on Toccoa-Stephens County attractions and assets. Please call 706-886-2132 to sign up for the next training class!
Finally – This morning at 10am we have a Ribbon Cutting Celebration at the Toccoa Veterinary Hospital with new owners Dr. Amy - and her husband John Dorminey at their location on Big A Rd. Hope to see you there!
The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce has over 400 members and is growing. The online Business Directory gets over 850 hits a month. Where else can you get that kind of visibility for pennies a day? Come grow with us!
That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)