ATLANTA, Ga. (September 20, 2023) – Southeast Tourism Society has named Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival and Porchfest as two of 20 Signature Events of the Southeast for 2023.
The Signature Events of the Southeast, formerly known as Top 20 Festival and Event Awards, was launched as part of the 40th Anniversary celebration of Southeast Tourism Society. The organization has recognized events and festivals around the Southeast since 1985.
From multiple submissions, travel industry experts select 20 events to be highlighted for the year, and Southeast Tourism Society publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on the Escape to the Southeast® website and on all Southeast Tourism Society’s social media platforms.
“For 40 years, STS has been spotlighting the best festivals and events in the Southeast. Our goal is to highlight the efforts of devoted event organizers and provide additional media exposure and accolades for their events,” said Monica Smith, President and CEO of Southeast Tourism Society. “The Southeast offers so many unique, year-round, opportunities for tourists and festivalgoers to create memories and support the tourism industry-–a vital economic generator for communities.”
Events considered for the STS Signature Events of the Southeast recognition must be at least three years old and have an attendance of at least 1,000. The online nomination link and submission deadlines are available at SoutheastTourism.org. Bluegrass in the Park and Porchfest were nominated by the Henderson Tourist Commission, a member of the Southeast Tourism Society.
“Henderson, Kentucky is home to world-class events that showcase the hospitality that our region of the country is known for,” said Abby Dixon, executive director of the Henderson Tourist Commission. “When I think of the events that create lasting memories for our visitors, showcase the warm hospitality of Hendersonians, and generate significant revenue for our local business community through tourism, Bluegrass in the Park and Porchfest quickly rise to the top of the list.”
Plans are already in the works for both Bluegrass in the Park and Porchfest to return to Henderson’s impressive festival lineup in 2024. Porchfest, one of a number of downtown events produced by the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for June 1, 2024. Bluegrass in the Park, produced entirely by volunteers, is scheduled for Aug. 9-10, 2024.
Southeast Tourism Society, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Roswell, Ga., is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting travel and tourism within 14 states – Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
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