Around The Region (click here to see all recent posts)

More than 849,981 people visited the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville last year, ranking it first among state attractions that charge admission, state tourism officials said. The Birmingham Zoo ranked second with 543,090 and the Huntsville Botanical Garden was third with 353,841. Barber Vintage Motorsports Park in Birmingham placed fourth with 352,000 and the McWane Science Center in …

J.P. Parsons, Vice President – Destination Marketing of the Mountain Lakes Chamber of Commerce, has announced his retirement. Parsons has been at the Chamber of Commerce for more than 16 years. His official retirement date will be March 29, 2019. In his announcement, Parsons wrote, “On March 29, 2019, I will complete 16 years and 3 months with the Greater …

Sandra Killen Burroughs said much of what she’s done in her career so far has prepared her to take on her new role as the executive director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. The announcement that the mayor of Lexington and director of membership recruitment and legislative liaison for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourism Association was the choice of …

The Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) recently unveiled the 2019 tournament schedule with a cash payout reaching over $500,000 plus a grand prize of a new Phoenix Bass Boat. Returning for the sixth season, the team-style tournament series is held on eleven of the lakes of the Alabama Bass Trail beginning February 16, 2019. Sanctioned by BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society), …

One of Alabama’s top tourist attractions is getting a new name, a refurbished look and a new purpose. Alabama’s Constitution Village in downtown Huntsville is getting the makeover as part of the state’s 200th birthday celebration next year. It’s the site where delegates from across the state gathered to formalize Alabama’s application to become the country’s 22nd state in 1819. …

Did you know Americans left the Earth 49 years ago this week to make the first moon landing on a rocket designed and largely built in Alabama? Did you know Americans are going back on a rocket being developed now in the Rocket City of Huntsville? If you somehow didn’t know, or even if you did, here’s some news: Huntsville …

The best and brightest were spotlighted this week at the Southeast Festivals and Events Association’s Kaleidoscope Awards, in Murfreesboro, TN on February 26th.  The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 15th Annual SFEA Conference. Top festivals and events throughout the southeast were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the events industry. The annual Boom Days festival in Fort Payne …

The Cherokee County Historical Museum has been approved for a listing on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage by the Alabama Historical Commission.   The register is a prestigious listing of historic, architectural, and archaeological landmarks in the state. These selected Alabama landmarks are worthy of both recognition and preservation, said the approval letter. The Cherokee County Museum offers …