Tag Archive for: #vancecountytourism

DeGrandcourt Wins T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Opener on Kerr Lake

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-Press Release, FLW Fishing

Boater R.J. DeGrandcourt of Clarksville, Virginia, caught five bass Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Shenandoah Division opener on Kerr Lake. For his catch, DeGrandcourt took home $2,585.

According to post-tournament reports, DeGrandcourt caught his bass fishing flats on the upper end of the lake with a Bomber Speed Shad crankbait.

The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:

 

1st:          R.J. DeGrandcourt, Clarksville, Va., five bass, 18-7, $2,585

 

2nd:         Ben Dalton, Keeling, Va., five bass, 16-5, $1,175

 

3rd:          Travis Lugar, McGaheysville, Va., five bass, 15-9, $784

 

4th:          Jack Dice, Lynchburg, Va., five bass, 15-0, $759

 

4th:          Thomas Svec, Chesapeake, Va., five bass, 15-0, $509

 

6th:          Curtis Talbott, Forest, Va., five bass, 14-15, $631

 

7th:          Michael Delvisco, Dandridge, Tenn., five bass, 14-1, $392

 

8th:          Derik Hudson, Concord, Va., five bass, 13-11, $752

 

9th:          Rick Hawkins, Roanoke, Va., five bass, 13-10, $313

 

10th:        Craig Wright, Rustburg, Va., four bass, 13-1, $150

 

Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.

DeGrandcourt also caught a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass – the heaviest of the event in the Boater Division – and earned the day’s Boater Big Bass award of $235.

Kyle Richardt of Raleigh, North Carolina, won the Co-angler Division and $1,175 Saturday after catching five bass weighing 12 pounds, 7 ounces.

The top 10 co-anglers were:

 

1st:          Kyle Richardt, Raleigh, N.C., five bass, 12-7, $1,175

 

2nd:         Trey Grow, Mechanicsville, Va., five bass, 11-6, $587

 

3rd:          Louis Britos, Disputanta, Va., five bass, 10-10, $393

 

4th:          Jamie Newton, Falls Church, Va., four bass, 10-9, $254

 

4th:          Timothy Kinder, Manassas, Va., five bass, 10-9, $354

 

6th:          Brandt Thompson , Richmond, Va., five bass, 10-7, $215

 

7th:          Gregory Chuhta, Germantown, Md., five bass, 10-5, $196

 

8th:          Danny Crickenberger, Charlottesville, Va., four bass, 10-0, $293

 

9th:          Billy Brown, Dahlgren, Va., five bass, 9-13, $157

 

10th:        Al Berkley, Madison Heights, Va., five bass, 9-12, $50

 

Crickenberger caught the largest bass in the Co-angler Division, a fish weighing in at 4 pounds, 12 ounces. The catch earned him the day’s Co-angler Big Bass award of $117.

The tournament was hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority.

Boater R.J. DeGrandcourt of Clarksville, Virginia, caught five bass Saturday weighing 18 pounds, 7 ounces, to win the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) Shenandoah Division opener on Kerr Lake. For his catch, DeGrandcourt took home $2,585. (Photo courtesy FLW Fishing)

The top 45 boaters and co-anglers in the region based on point standings, along with the five winners in each qualifying event, will be entered in the Oct. 10-12 BFL Regional Championship on Lake Hartwell in Seneca, South Carolina, presented by Navionics. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard and $20,000, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower outboard.

The 2019 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30-June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For complete details and updated information visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Kerr Lake Set for T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League Opener

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-Press Release, Fishing League Worldwide

WHAT:

The FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament season will continue Saturday, April 6, with the T-H Marine FLW BFL Shenandoah Division tournament on Kerr Lake. Up to 400 boaters and co-anglers will be competing for top awards of up to $8,000 and $3,000 respectively in the one-day tournament.

WHEN:

Saturday, April 6, 2019

Takeoff: 7 a.m. EDT. Weigh-In: 3 p.m.

Nutbush North

115 Jack Wade Farm Rd

Henderson, N.C.

Hosted by the Vance County Tourism Development Authority

Kerr Lake is set to host a great day of bass fishing for Shenandoah Division competitors. According to recent local fishing reports, quality bass are being taken on crankbaits on main-lake points. The area of the lake between Clarksville and Eastland Creek is said to be fishing strong. If your boat needs repairs, then you have to get it to a repair shop (you can check it out).

In past BFL events held on Kerr Lake this time of year, spinnerbaits on main-lake points near Nutbush Creek, flipping bushes for spawning bass and running bushes with a crankbait has produced winning bites. Working a Carolina-rig for bass on deeper points could be a good choice as well. A five-bass limit nearing 19 pounds should be enough to take the grand prize at this early-April BFL derby.

The 2019 BFL is a 24-division circuit devoted to weekend anglers, with 128 tournaments throughout the season, five qualifying events in each division. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division, along with the five winners of the qualifying events, will advance to one of six regional tournaments where they are competing to finish in the top six, which then qualifies them for one of the longest-running championships in all of competitive bass fishing – the BFL All-American.

The 2019 BFL All-American will be held May 30  – June 1 at the Potomac River in Marbury, Maryland, and is hosted by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Commissioners of Charles County. Top performers in the BFL can move up to the Costa FLW Series or even the FLW Tour.

For complete details and updated information, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

Vance Co. Tourism Focuses on 2019 Fishing Tournaments

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Pam Hester and Norman Dickerson, director and assistant director, respectively, with the Vance County Tourism Development Authority, were on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss the importance of tourism dollars.

With warmer temperatures and spring weather on the horizon, the tourism office has turned their attention to upcoming fishing tournaments on Kerr Lake. With 10 tournaments already booked for this year, the tourism development authority is well on their way to matching or topping the 16 tournaments they were involved in for 2018.

“Those 16 tournaments brought in $1.1 million to Vance County last year, so we think fishing tournaments are extremely important to our local economy,” Hester said.

Norman Dickerson (left) and Pam Hester (right) with the Vance County Tourism Development Authority talk with WIZS about upcoming tourism events. (WIZS photo)

According to Hester, the average visitor spent $115 a night on a hotel room and $156 a day when traveling from out-of-town to fish on Kerr Lake in 2018.

Hester said she and Dickerson are also in the early stages of bringing a regional fishing tournament to the area for October 2020 and a national tournament to the lake by April 2021.

With potential prize draws such as $50,000 cash, boats and vehicles, the goal is to attract fishermen from other states who would stay longer, and thus spend more tourism dollars in Vance County.

Recently, Kerr Lake added to its reputation as a must-experience fishing destination with its inclusion on Fishing University, an internationally televised, Emmy-nominated television show. Hosted by Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier, the 30-minute episode filmed on the lake and in various locations around Vance County first aired January 7-13, 2019.

“After the first quarter segment aired, Vance County Tourism received a mailing list from Fishing University with 38 different organizations or people, from 17 different states, who had requested information about Kerr Lake. We consider that a success,” Hester explained.

According to a previous press release issued by Fishing University, the Vance County episode will air 10 times in each quarter of 2019. WIZS will update our listeners and viewers when specific broadcast dates are released.

In addition to fishing, Hester said Kerr Lake offers camping, boating, water/jet skiing and so much more. “Vance County has a goldmine with the body of water that we have,” said Hester.

In addition to fishing tournaments, Fourth of July fireworks and the Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Car Show held in downtown Henderson each fall, Hester and Dickerson are looking into new ways to increase tourism spending.

Tourism dollars are especially important when one considers the money they save Vance County taxpayers. “For 2017, the most recent year figures are available, vendor spending reached over $50 million,” Hester said. “According to the NC Dept. of Commerce, that saved every taxpayer $100.”

In the meantime, Hester reminded listeners that Vance County has a lot to offer residents and visitors alike by way of “entertainment venues, great, locally-owned restaurants, historic museums and, of course, Kerr Lake.”

Please check out the Vance County Tourism Development Authority’s Facebook page by clicking here or following them on Twitter at #vancecountytravelersdiscoveralot.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Hester and Dickerson in its entirety, please click here.

TV Show Featuring Vance County to Debut This Week!

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-Press Release, Fishing University 

The Internationally televised, Emmy-nominated television show, Fishing University, that filmed here in the early Fall, will air the episode featuring Kerr Lake and Vance County this week. The show features not only the lake but local dining, activities and attractions.

Fishing University holds a viewership of more than 63 million households, airing in all 50 states as well as in 51 additional countries. The Vance County Tourism Department played host to the crew taking them to sites that had the potential to draw in visitors to enjoy what we have to offer here in Vance County. When the offer to film the show came, the Tourism Department viewed it as a strategic marketing opportunity to reach a target audience of potential guests seeking an outdoor travel destination.

Within each 30-minute episode of the show, a 90-second promotional spot will be included. The spots will be created to mirror the marketing efforts of the Tourism Department. Hosts Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier will also include numerous mentions of their location during each show.

In addition to filming promotional spots and fishing, the hosts and film crew also presented a one-hour program at Vance County High School and shared with them the importance of attaining an education and the outdoor career options available to them.  The school will also be featured during the show.

The Vance County episode will air 10 times in each quarter all year.
Codes for Channels: Outdoor Channel = ODC; Sportsman Channel = SPM; WFN=WFN

The air days and times for the 1st quarter of 2019 are:
Mon., Jan. 7                           9 a.m. ODC; 10:30 a.m. SPM
Wed., Jan. 9                           3 a.m. WFN; 6 a.m. ODC; 9 p.m. WFN
Fri., Jan. 11                             4 p.m. WFN
Sat., Jan. 12                            8 a.m. ODC; 11 a.m. SPM
Sun., Jan. 13                           4:30 a.m. SPM; 10 a.m. WFN

As one of the longest-running Outdoor TV shows, Fishing University is celebrating 33 years of bringing quality fishing programming to avid viewers. Each week they hit the water accompanied by friends and professionals in the industry, as viewers are engaged in a competitive show that is packed full of ‘how to tips’. Not only is the show exciting, but it also lets people in on ‘tricks of the trade’ from some of the very best in the outdoor industry. Fishing University can be seen on the Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network and The Sportsman Channel in all 50 states and 51 other countries. To see the entire schedule, go to www.fishingu.com, and be sure to visit Fishing University on Facebook.

Downtown Henderson Ready to ‘Show, Shine, Shag & Dine’ This Weekend!

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Don’t miss the 17th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine this Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20, 2018, in downtown Henderson. 1978 and older antique cars, classic cars, nostalgia drag cars, muscle cars, street rods, rat rods and trucks will cover a ten-block area of Garnett Street in Historic Downtown Henderson.

The Corbitt Preservation Association will also host their annual Corbitt Truck Show and Reunion on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year, the Corbitt group will set up on the corner of Garnett and Montgomery Streets.

Additionally, the Corbitt Museum will be open to visitors on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is located at 180 Church Street, Henderson.

This world-class car show is one of the largest tourism draws and economic boosts to Vance County each year. Local hotels, gas stations, restaurants, stores and places of entertainment all benefit from the dollars spent over the weekend.

2018 Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Schedule:

Friday, October 19

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ~ Cruise-in and BBQ cookout for event guests. Meal served 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. $12 per plate cover charge at the door. Location: Satterwhite Point Park, Kerr Lake, I-85 – Exit 217.

7 – 10 p.m. ~ Receptions at host hotels (for their guests) – Hampton Inn, Baymont Inn & Suites, Red Roof Inn Plus and Sleep Inn.

7 – 11 p.m. ~ Cruise around town on your own or visit Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-In Theatre.

Saturday, October 20

7:30 – 11 a.m. ~ Car registration – open to all makes and models 1978 and older. Antique cars, classic cars, nostalgia drag cars, muscle cars, street rods, rat rods and trucks. Judged cars $25; other vehicles $20. Dash plaques to the first 400 cars.

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ~ Show and Shine, live entertainment, DJ Cliff Cox, food, vendors, judging and awards.

7:30 – 11 p.m. ~ Cruise around town on your own or visit Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-In Theatre.

No personal golf carts, bicycles or pets allowed. Golf cart taxi rides will be provided for people needing assistance for health reasons. Children ride with adult supervision only.

For more information, please visit www.kerrlake-nc.com or call 1-866-438-4565.

17th Annual ‘Show, Shine, Shag & Dine’ Only One Month Away!

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Vance County Tourism Development Director Pam Hester and Administrative Assistant Norman Dickerson were on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss tourism news and upcoming events.

The next tourism-sponsored event will be the 17th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20 in downtown Henderson. 1978 and older antique cars, classic cars, nostalgia drag cars, muscle cars, street rods, rat rods and trucks will cover a ten-block area of Garnett Street in Historic Downtown Henderson.

With only one month to go until the big event, the tourism department is busy preparing for the thousands of guests who will be visiting Henderson and Vance County.

This world-class car show is one of the largest tourism draws and economic boosts to Vance County each year. Local hotels, gas stations, restaurants, stores and places of entertainment all benefit from the dollars spent over the weekend.

2018 Show, Shine, Shag & Dine Schedule:

Friday, October 19

11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ~ Cruise-in and BBQ cookout for event guests. Meal served 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. $12 per plate cover charge at the door. Location: Satterwhite Point Park, Kerr Lake, I-85 – Exit 217.

7 – 10 p.m. ~ Receptions at host hotels (for their guests) – Hampton Inn, Baymont Inn & Suites, Red Roof Inn Plus and Sleep Inn.

7 – 11 p.m. ~ Cruise around town on your own or visit Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-In Theatre.

Saturday, October 20

7:30 – 11 a.m. ~ Car registration – open to all makes and models 1978 and older. Antique cars, classic cars, nostalgia drag cars, muscle cars, street rods, rat rods and trucks. Judged cars $25; other vehicles $20. Dash plaques to the first 400 cars.

7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. ~ Show and Shine, live entertainment, DJ Cliff Cox, food, vendors, judging and awards.

7:30 – 11 p.m. ~ Cruise around town on your own or visit Raleigh Road Outdoor Drive-In Theatre.

No personal golf carts, bicycles or pets allowed. Golf cart taxi rides will be provided for people needing assistance for health reasons. Children ride with adult supervision only.

For more information, please visit www.kerrlake-nc.com or call 1-866-438-4565.

Television Show ‘Fishing University’ to Feature Kerr Lake, Vance Co. Attractions

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-Press Release, Fishing University

Internationally televised, Emmy award-winning television show, Fishing University, will soon make Vance County home, filming an episode to air in 2019 and featuring not only Kerr Lake but local dining, activities and attractions. The film crew, along with hosts/fishing legends Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier, will arrive on September 24, to fish and film.

Fishing University holds a viewership of more than 63 million households, airing in all 50 states as well as in 51 additional countries. Vance County Tourism Development Authority is serving as point-of-contact for the project, viewing it as a strategic marketing opportunity to reach a target audience of potential guests seeking an outdoor travel destination.

Charlie Ingram and Ray Brazier with Fishing University. (Photo Credit Fishing University)

“When Fishing University reached out to us with their proposal, Norman and I knew it would be a natural fit to accompany our other marketing and advertising efforts for 2019,” said Pam Hester, executive director of the Vance County Tourism Development Authority. “We will not only be able to put a spotlight on the world-renowned fishing opportunities in our region but also feature the community, culture and activities that guests can experience while visiting.”

Within the 30-minute episode, a 90-second promotional spot will be included. The spots will be created to mirror the marketing efforts of the Tourism Department. Hosts Ingram and Brazier will also include numerous mentions of their location during the show.

In addition to filming promotional spots and fishing, the hosts and film crew will also present a one-hour program at Vance County High School to share with area youth the importance of attaining an education and the outdoor career options available to them. The session will offer a “Q & A” time with a discussion of majors such as communications, marketing, biology, wildlife management and animal husbandry. The school will have a 90-second segment within the show.

“We are proud to welcome Fishing University to Vance County,” said Hester. “Coverage such as this will be seen by an audience of anglers that travel and have expendable income which will be good from both a branding and economic impact perspective.”

The competitive fishing show is packed with how-to tips and tricks of the trade, making it popular among competitive amateur and professional anglers. Viewers of World Fishing Network and the Outdoor and Sportsman Channels tend to spend more time on the water and are more active consumers than those of competing networks.

About Fishing University
As one of the longest-running Outdoor TV shows, Fishing University is celebrating 33 years of bringing quality fishing programming to avid viewers. Each week they hit the water accompanied by friends and professionals in the industry, as viewers are engaged in a competitive show that is packed full of ‘how to tips’. Not only is the show exciting, but it also lets people in on ‘tricks of the trade’ from some of the very best in the outdoor industry. Fishing University can be seen on the Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network and The Sportsman Channel in all 50 states and 51 other countries. To see the entire schedule go to www.fishingu.com, and be sure to visit Fishing University on Facebook.

Sponsors of Fishing University Include
Charger Boats, Honda Marine, Jackson Kayak, Spro, Raymarine, T-H Marine, Power Pole, Orion Coolers, Cashion Rods, Strike King Lures, StormR, Cedar Creek Beef Jerky, Soft Science Footwear, Lithium Pros Batteries, Schrader Orthopedic & Stem Cell Treatment Center, Shooting Concepts, Marine Master Trailers, Gruv Fishing, BALSAX Line and Nite Track.

Vance County Tourism

New Vance Co. Tourism Director Focused on Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine

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With just 29 days as executive director of the Vance County Tourism Development Authority under her belt, Pam Hester is already working diligently on the annual car show, planning new events and discovering “hidden treasures” in the area.

Hester, who began her new role on July 2, 2018, previously worked with Henderson’s Main Street Program organizing, directing and coordinating overall operations of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission and the Main Street Program.

Along with Norman Dickerson, administrative assistance for Vance County Tourism, Hester was on-air Tuesday with WIZS’ Town Talk program to discuss Vance County’s largest tourism event – the annual Show, Shine, Shag and Dine Car Show. This popular event, held on Garnett Street in historic downtown Henderson, will celebrate its 17th year entertaining locals and visitors alike on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20, 2018.

“Right now, we are working daily on the car show,” said Hester. “We are expecting 25,000 people to come to town.”

With the exception of 2016, when a hurricane literally rained on the parade, Dickerson said the show continues to grow, “We have a lot of repeats [attendees], but we also have new people that come each year. This is the show’s 17th year, so it has a good foundation.”

While working hard to put the finishing touches on the car show, Hester and Dickerson are also keeping other ideas on the “backburner.” “We are working on having a bass television show come and do a segment on Kerr Lake and Vance County,” Hester said. “We are also working on fishing tournaments and contracts.”

Perhaps Hester’s biggest accomplishment in her less than a month in office has been the creation of the Vance County Tourism Facebook page. “I’m big into social media, so we’ve created a Facebook page and we are trying to promote what I’m calling the ‘hidden treasures’ of the area.”

Hester has been pleasantly surprised by the number of Vance County residents who are sharing information from the new page, “I think it’s huge that so many people are helping us promote tourism. We have a great city in Henderson and a great county in Vance County.”

In addition to social media, Hester believes the key to successfully promoting tourism in the area includes “marketing, teamwork, building partnerships, community support and capitalizing on the resources that we have.”

And, according to Hester, Vance County has many current resources that can be promoted in new ways, “Vance County is so fortunate to have a state-of-the-art facility in McGregor Hall, a state-of-the-art library, Kerr Lake and many hidden treasures.”

Hester has spent some time in her first month in office exploring areas of Vance County that she was previously unfamiliar with. “As a life-long resident, I can say some of the things I’ve been exposed to in my less than 30 days [on the job], I did not realize were here.”

Starting the job mid-year, Hester said she set two goals for herself, “My goals [for this year] when I came on-board were to make the car show happen and to bring in one new event and I think we already have that secured.”

Hester said details about new events are in the early planning stages and will be revealed in the near future.

Vance County Tourism

Pamela Hester Named Vance Co. Tourism Director

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-Press Release, Vance County Tourism Development Authority Board

The Vance County Tourism Development Authority is pleased to announce the hiring of Pamela Weathers-Hester, as the next Tourism Development Director. She will begin in this position on July 2, 2018.

Mrs. Hester has background experience in advertising, marketing, and community outreach locally and in areas across North Carolina. She previously worked with Henderson’s Main Street Program organizing, directing, and coordinating overall operations of the Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission and the Main Street Program.

Mrs. Hester is excited to be able to show the world that Vance County, Home of Kerr Lake, is a great place for hosting tourism-related events and activities. She will be a welcome addition to the county’s management team and the Vance County community.

Kerr Lake’s Independence Day Celebration Set for Sat., June 30

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-Information courtesy Norman Dickerson, Admin. Assistant, Vance County Department of Tourism

Independence Day Weekend Celebration – Fireworks, Entertainment & Food

Fireworks over the water at Kerr Lake, Satterwhite Point, in Henderson, NC on Saturday, June 30, 2018.

Entertainment presented by “Frankie Faucet & The Drips” Band.

Food vendors on site. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Enjoy the music and good food.

FREE event admission, but $7.00 per car gate fee charged by NC State Parks.

7 – 10 p.m.

NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED!

Directions: From I-85, take Exit 217 and follow the signs to the park. Park entrance located directly across from 6254 Satterwhite Point Road.

Sponsored by Vance County Department of Tourism – www.kerrlake-nc.com

(This is not a paid advertisement; however, there are paid advertisements on WIZS for this event)