Main Street and Tallapoosa County Tourism Win Award of Excellence

Main Street and Tallapoosa County Tourism at the Main Street Alabama award ceremony

Alexander City, AL- On Thursday, August 18 Alexander City Main Street and Tallapoosa County Tourism attended the Main Street Alabama State Conference in Opelika, AL. Together, they won an Award of Excellence for Public and Private Partnership for the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival.

The primary goals of the festival are attracting visitors to our county, providing local residents business and networking opportunities, and supporting Grammy award-winning songwriters from across the globe. Main Street and Tallapoosa County Tourism are just two forces behind festival’s success; over 50% of festival spectators traveled from other counties and 10 states were represented. Each night, the festival drew crowds to all 14 venues in the Lake Martin area, leaving standing room only.

Main Street is an essential part of the songwriters festival, hosting the headlining concert on Saturday. Additionally, the organization is a sponsor and serves on the executive committee. Main Street, the heart of downtown Alexander City, is an ideal location for the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival.

“We are absolutely blown away by the organization, accommodations, and crowds…We play a lot of songwriters festivals every year all over the world, and we just have to say how impressed we are with what y’all have accomplished,” said songwriters Johnny Bulford and Heidi Raye. 

“This is just one small step in really putting Lake Martin on the map.”

Main Street Director Stacey Jeffcoat celebrates recognition from the state organization. “Our partnership with Tallapoosa Tourism for the songwriters festival is huge for growing our community…I think this is just one small step in really putting Lake Martin on the map. Main Street is honored to play a part in that. We believe in this festival and how it can change the lives of so many Tallapoosa County residents,” said Jeffcoat.

Tallapoosa County Tourism, established in 2018, also plays an equally important role in the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival. Through dollars, marketing, and other promotional efforts, Tallapoosa County Tourism assists with the logistics behind the festival. Their partnership drives participation from those inside and outside the county, using social media platforms, advertising, and hospitality efforts. 

“Tallapoosa County Tourism is incredibly honored to work with an amazing group of people, especially our executive committee members Stacey Jeffcoat, Andy Moore, Jim Hildreth, Vivian Autry, Steven Pace, and Robert Gunn, who worked diligently to make this event such a success. This award goes to all those who made this happen. Thank you to the sponsors, the venues, the songwriters, the committee, and the ambassadors,” said Director Sandra Fuller.

The Lake Martin Songwriters Festival would not be possible without Main Street, Tallapoosa County Tourism and other local sponsors like Those Lake Martin Guys, The Pace Place, The Mitchell House, Russell Lands, and Lake Broadcasting. Main Street and Tallapoosa County Tourism thanks the venues, sponsors, committee members, and the Lake Martin community for making this award possible. 

For more information about the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival or 2023 sponsorship opportunities, contact info@tallapoosacounty.com or visit the LMSF website.