A Busy Tourist Season

Tourism is one of Patrick County's greatest economic assets. That has been most evident during eh month of October when the tourist season annually reaches its peak. It was inspiring to visit Meadows of Dan and the Blue Ridge Parkway this past weekend and to see the many visitors who crowded shops, restaurants, stores, and roadside produce stands. The mountain foliage was a little past its peak but tourists and local folks came to the mountains in droves to savor the flavor of fall in picturesque Patrick County.

Some of the stores and shops in Meadows of Dan business district on Sunday (Oct. 25) were so crowded with people that you could hardly walk. There was a throng of folks enjoying the scenery, entertainment, and restaurant at Mabry Mill. Rocky Knob was crowded with picnickers and hikers. The Lover's Leap overlook was jammed with visitors taking pictures and enjoying the breathtaking view of th valley below the mountain. At the Meadows of Dan Community Center, more than 5,000 patrons were served during the two Sundays of the annual Pancake Days co-sponsored by the Meadows of Dan Ruritan Club and the Meadows of Dan Fire Department. Visitors from as far away as Canada and the Ukraine came to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Patrick County this fall to feast on buckwheat and buttermilk pancakes and to enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage and rustic scenery.

This past Sunday was but one example of the heavy tourist activity in Patrick County during the autumn season especially during its peak in October. Tom Bishop, Executive Director of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, said visitors have flocked to Patrick County the last 3 weekends. "You talking about a crowd," said Bishop of the tourist activity this past weekend. I commend Tom Bishop for his tireless efforts to promote tourism and the business community in Patrick County.

Tourism is more important today in Patrick County than ever. It has helped to ease the heavy blow suffered by the county as far back as a decade ago when local manufacturing plants began cutting back or closing and textile and furniture jobs were shipped overseas. Tourism is vital to Patrick County! It is certainly the lifeblood of the mountaintop economy and a rapidly growing economic sector countywide. The most recent figures indicate that tourism brings in more than $21-million annually to Patrick County's economy. It means not only increased revenues for county merchants but jobs for a significant number of people in a county that is no stranger to double digit unemployment. Because of its great economic clout, I think we should do everything in our power to nurture and promote the tourist industry in Patrick County even if it involves investing some of our hard-earned county tax dollars. This investment will pay tremendous long-term dividends.

Thank you to the many tourists and visitors who have graced out county's scenic attractions with their presence this fall. We welcome you to come back often and experience the good life that we enjoy everyday living here in this beloved county that we affectionally call God's Country.