Video: Two Columbus Events Recognized ‘Top 20 In The Southeast’

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ATLANTA, Ga. ‐‐ Southeast Tourism Society has named Sounds of Summer as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for June & July 2013. This is the second year that Sounds of Summer has received this esteemed honor.

For the past five years and planned again for 2013, Sounds of Summer provides a free concert series in Historic Downtown Columbus on every Thursday in June and July. Sounds of Summer began in 2008 and is located at the Columbus, Mississippi Riverwalk Park. The concert series offers a music and fun for the whole family and features local musicians and food vendors.

Sounds of Summer is a joint venture sponsored by both Main Street Columbus and The Columbus‐Lowndes Development LINK. Numerous other business sponsors and volunteers also help to make the annual event possible. For more information on how to become a part of the 2013 Sounds of Summer concert series as a vendor, a volunteer or a sponsor please contact Main Street Columbus at 662‐328‐6305 or www.columbusmainstreet.com or The Columbus Lowndes Development LINK at 662‐328‐8369 or www.cldlink.org .

“Sounds of Summer is a diverse, quality event that continues to grow in popularity each year, and is truly an event that the community really enjoys and it’s one of my personal favorites too, “stated Amber Brislin, Main Street Columbus Director. “Sounds of Summer is an outstanding event that we take great pride in participating in every year,” said Macaulay Whitaker, vice‐president LINK Chamber Division. “Community businesses and organizations bringing quality, family events to our area. It’s the kind of programming we’re all about.”

The series offers something for everyone while showcasing our community and local talent. “The STS Top 20 Events list is an excellent guide for travelers in the Southeast. Events chosen represent the best activities the region offers. Being chosen is a great accolade that can draw extra attention to a festival or special event,” said Neville Bhada, director of communications and public relations for the Southeast Tourism Society.

STS started its Top 20 Events program in 1985. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes the list throughout the region and beyond. The complete list is published monthly on two Web sites: southeasttourism.org and escapetothesoutheast.com.

To be nominated for Top 20 Event consideration, an event must be in at least its third year and must have attendance of at least 1,000. Nomination forms and deadlines are available at www.SoutheastTourism.org or by calling 404‐364‐9847.

STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Atlanta, is a non‐profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism in 12 southeastern states—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

ATLANTA, Ga. ‐‐ Southeast Tourism Society has named Market Street Festival as one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast for May 2013. This is the fourteenth consecutive year that Market Street Festival has received this esteemed honor.

Plans are underway for the 18th Annual Market Street Festival which will take place in Historic Downtown Columbus on May 3 & 4, 2013. Market Street Festival began in 1996 and is located in historic downtown Columbus, Mississippi. The Festival offers a variety of activities and fun for the whole family and features over 200 arts and crafts vendors, 21 local food vendors, 6 music stages, over 20 local musical acts throughout the day on Saturday, an antique car show, a hands‐on children’s area as well as entertainment acts, games, inflatables, train rides for children and much, much more. As part of the Festival, a 5K run is held at the Columbus Riverwalk on Saturday morning, there are dozens of children’s activities, a juried arts show, a car show, over 250 arts, crafts & food vendors, a car giveaway and numerous other activities. Market Street After Dark, a ticketed concert featuring nationally known musical acts, kicks off Market Street Festival on Friday evening. The headliner bands and other exciting details and changes for Market Street Festival 2013 will be announced soon. All vendor applications have been sent out; applications may be obtained at the Market Street Festival Headquarters located at 107 5th Street North or at www.marketstreetfestival.com.

Market Street Festival is a diverse, quality event that continues to grow in popularity each year. The festival offers something for everyone while showcasing our community and local talent. Arts, crafts and food vendors travel from across the street and from across the country to participate in the event each year. “ Market Street Festival contributes its successes to the support and participation of area community organizations, local government, businesses, artists, musicians, residents, sponsors, and over 400 volunteers; without this combination Market Street Festival would not be possible,” stated Amber Brislin, Main Street Columbus Director. The Festival has been named a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society each year since 1999.

“The STS Top 20 Events list is an excellent guide for travelers in the Southeast. Events chosen represent the best activities the region offers. Being chosen is a great accolade that can draw extra attention to a festival or special event,” said Neville Bhada, director of communications and public relations for the Southeast Tourism Society.

STS started its Top 20 Events program in 1985. Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes the list throughout the region and beyond. The complete list is published monthly on two Web sites: southeasttourism.org and escapetothesoutheast.com.

To be nominated for Top 20 Event consideration, an event must be in at least its third year and must have attendance of at least 1,000. Nomination forms and deadlines are available at www.SoutheastTourism.org or by calling 404‐364‐9847.

STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Atlanta, is a non‐profit organization dedicated to promoting tourism in 12 southeastern states—Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Market Street Festival is organized by Main Street Columbus and volunteer committees. For more information on how to become a part of Market Street Festival 2013 as either a vendor, musician, artist, a volunteer or a sponsor please contact Main Street Columbus at 662‐328‐6305 or www.columbusmainstreet.com OR www.marketstreetfestival.com.