Hundreds of travelers entering the state on I-59 found food and fun waiting for them Thursday at the Alabama Welcome Center in DeKalb County.
The annual Tourism Day drew about two dozen vendors eager to provide visitors with information about the many cultural and recreational activities the state has to offer.
Penne Beasley with the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association estimated she spoke with about 50 visitors during the five-hour event.
People stop here just to use the restroom, and they see all this.
Penne Beasley, Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
“People stop here just to use the restroom, and they see all this,” Beasley said, gesturing to the many tables set up inside the welcome center, each displaying brochures and souvenirs for the taking.
“They’ve all been smiling and seemed very impressed and receptive to take information with them,” she said.
Representatives of the Alabama Tourism Department served beverages, Conecuh sausage dogs, and pizza. Sosthenes Sealy, tourism manager at the welcome center, said thirteen companies provided funding or products for the event.
