KINGWOOD — How do you sell Preston County? What are its strengths? Its weaknesses?
These were the questions asked by Susan Riddle, president and CEO of Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Vistors Bureau, during a CVB Preston tourism meeting this week.
Riddle said Visit Mountaineer Country’s mission statement is to “increase the tourism economy by marketing and selling the destination to our guests by ‘wowing’ them and encouraging them to stay one more night and spend one more dollar.”
She said the first step in attracting tourists is looking at the county’s strengths and weaknesses.
Some of the threats to tourism found were:
- Lack of restaurants being open, especially on Mondays and not offering breakfast.
- Other sites to visit.
- Aversion to change.
- Capacity issue. Residents don’t want more people coming in.
- Balancing tradition. Preston County has locations that are historical.
- Weather. Preston County typically has a lot of snow.
“Even with snow, we still have that scenic beauty when you see the snow on the trees,” Commissioner Dave Price said.
Darlene Bolyard, director of Arthurdale Heritage, said she believes an upcoming event will help bring people into the county.
“The Smithsonian charged us as recipients of the Smithsonian exhibit,” she said. “We will be working and reaching out to everyone to be part of the discussion. The Smithsonian exhibit will pull people in. It’s huge that Preston County was chosen.”
Riddle separated the attendees into three groups: Outdoor recreation, heritage and history and agriculture tourism. She asked them to list activities under each category and the names of people involved.
The outdoor recreation group listed the Cheat River, Alpine Lake, the Mountain Trail Network and the ability for tourists to escape technology.
People in the heritage and history group listed the McGrew House, Arthurdale Heritage Inc., Rowlesburg, railroads and coal, Aurora, the transport of coal and lumber out of Appalachia and the Civil War Trail.
The agriculture tourism group said Preston County has more farms than any other county in the state. Some events that showcase the area’s farms and farmers include Start and Grow, Buckwheat Festival and Agriculture and Harvest Host.
On its Facebook page, Visit Mountaineer Country features descriptions of other places and events to visit in Preston County.
Here are a few samples from its list of suggestions:
- Arthurdale: Step back in time at historic Arthurdale Heritage, a New Deal community. Then, mark your calendars for the many events that take place on site throughout the year, including the New Deal Festival.
- Bruceton Mills: Kick back and relax during a slow paddle ride on the Big Sandy River after delving into a heaping plate of buckwheat cakes at Little Sandy’s or a craft beer on the Screech Owl Brewing farm.
- Masontown: Satisfy your sweet tooth with a monstrous milkshake at Miller’s Eats and Sweets. Holiday cheer in the air? Be sure to mark your calendars and plan a trip to attend Christmas at the Barn this season.
- Reedsville: After a bike ride on the rail-trail, head to Modern Homestead at Tatham’s for shopping, events and a cozy stay in the guest house.
- Rowlesburg: Whether it is the Labor Day Ox Festival, West Virginia Chestnut Festival, or Christkindlmarkt (European Style Christmas Market), there’s fun and history to be shared in this river town all year-round. Stop by the Szilagyi Center to view the World War II museum before heading to Cannon Hill.
- Terra Alta: Enjoy live music and craft beer in town at High Ground Brewing before heading to Alpine Lake Resort for a complete Almost Heaven retreat.
Visit Preston County can be found on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/VisitPrestonCounty/
For Visit Mountaineer Country go to https://www.visitmountaineercountry.com/
For Mountaineer Country Convention & Visitors Bureau call: 800-458-7373 or 304-292-5081.
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