BY MALLORY MCCOY
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT— Lanett Welcome Center located off of exit 78 on Interstate 85 in Lanett, Alabama is set to celebrate their annual Tourism Day on May 8, beginning at 10 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The festivities will last throughout the day and end at 3 p.m.
The month of May is “Tourism Month” which has become a time of year to celebrate for all welcome centers. Lanett Welcome Center is one out of eight welcome centers in the state of Alabama.
“Each of our eight welcome centers take a day to surprise the travelers coming through because they don’t know anything is happening,” said Laura Smith, Lanett Welcome Center Manager. “We try to give something to show appreciation for them to come and travel in Alabama and spend money and time here.”
Each year local businesses and others in surrounding areas have the opportunity to donate food, drinks and time to help the welcome center prepare for the event. This year, over 50 businesses are contributing donations to the welcome center.
Breakfast is to be served from 10 to 11 a.m. with a spread of doughnuts and coffee from Dunkin Donuts in Valley, Alabama, Tasty Donuts in Lanett, Alabama, and Krispy Kreme and Starbucks both located in Opelika, Alabama.
“We don’t ask for a specific amount, whatever [the businesses] want to give is completely fine,” said Smith. “We’re just thankful that [they’re] willing to do that for us.”
Starting at 11 a.m., lunch will be served until the conclusion of the celebration. Givorns Foods in Valley is contributing hot dog meat, Kroger in Lanett is contributing Conecuh sausage and buns and Chambers County Sheriff Jeff Nelson is contributing his time to grill for the incoming travelers.
Other businesses contributing include Zen House Chinese Restaurant, Terri’s Mill Village Café, KFC, Merl’s Diner, Coach’s Bar and Grill, San Marcos Mexican Restaurant, Wing Stop, Pokey’s 8th Street Grill, Coca-Cola of Opelika and many more. Each business that donates will have a promotion sign in front of their food containers showcasing the business’ name and location.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Smith. “The travelers are very surprised, and they really enjoy it.”
After the “Welcome to Alabama” speech to be given by Lanett Welcome Center supervisor, Trisa Collier at noon, the sheet cake provided annually by Publix will be cut for everyone to enjoy.
Lanett Welcome Center also partners with other tourism-focused and community growth organizations such as the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Auburn-Opelika Tourism for this day. The partners are to have tables set up at the event with brochures of the communities, as well as free souvenirs- pens, cups, etc.
Throughout the day, there will also be musical performances by John Lott, a retired West Point Pepperell employee, and the Whistle Stop Pickers, a steel guitar band. Smith said travelers from all over the country and world have stopped by the Lanett Welcome Center for this event in years past.
“We don’t turn anybody away, it’s just a fun day,” said Smith. “And we get to meet people from all over our state as well as other states and countries.”
If restaurants or food business owners are interested in getting on the donation list for next year’s event call the Lanett Welcome Center at (334) 576-2116.
