BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Martin County Tourism Board met Monday and primarily discussed plans for the Christmas in the Mountains festival and other holiday festivities.
Christmas in the Mountains will be held on the week of Nov. 28 this year, with different events occurring each day and night of the celebration.
Normally the festival takes place over just three days, but after hearing feedback from attendees last year, the board determined that spreading events out over a week will allow attendees to come out for more of the activities they want to do.
The tourism board received a $500 contribution from ARC, which will be used to cover part of the rental cost of the skating rink coming to town for the festival.
The board discussed arrangements for the skating rink, which will be set up somewhere in town for three days.
The location for the skating rink has not yet been officially determined.
Members of the board agreed that the rink should be open during the day as well as the night to maximize usage.
Small groups will be needed to supervise and operate the rink for day and night shifts. The Martin County Library Board and the MCHS FCLA team have each agreed to volunteer their time for skating rink shifts.
Other holiday plans were worked out at Monday’s meeting as well. The board plans to organize a Christmas decoration house tour around Inez with aboaut six homes participating. The tour is expected to be ready to be seen around Nov. 20.
The board also discussed holding an opening ceremony for the Christmas in the Mountains festival this year involving a candle walk and prayer service.
Plans for a Christmas gala on the Monday of the festival, Nov. 28, are also underway. The gala would include Christmas decorations, catering, a live DJ playing oldies and Christmas music and dancing.
The gala will serve as a fundraiser for next year’s festivities to avoid needing to rely as much on volunteers and donations.
Beyond Christmas plans, the board discussed an upcoming project to place wayfinding signs around Martin County that point toward major landmarks such as parks and lakes around the county. A permit will need to be acquired for each sign.
The Historic Courthouse was also discussed briefly. ARO and volunteers have been sanding the flooring in the bridal suite and small courtroom in preparation for refinishing the rooms. This has taken longer than expected and will likely lead to a delay in the completion of the old courthouse.
The board is hopeful that this work will be complete and most of the Historic Courthouse will be presentable in time for Christmas in the Mountains.
Three of the fruit trees planted along the Inez walking path have already died. The board will replace them in the fall when it is best to plant them.
The board also discussed the possibility of adding a skylift or some sort of shuttle from the Collier Center to the top of God’s Promise Trail, in order to facilitate cold weather views of Martin County from above.
A shuttle may be available this year during the Christmas in the Mountains festival, but the skylift is a long-term goal.
The board approved a location for the Kendall & Friends inclusive playground, which will now be able to move forward with construction plans, pending Fiscal Court approval.
Monday’s meeting also marked the beginning of a new fiscal year for the board, as they approved a new budget for the coming year and amended last year’s budget to reflect what was actually earned and spent.