The Medical Leader

PRESTONSBURG—The Big Sandy Area Development District is asking area residents to “Get Out. Get Healthy. Choose an Adventure.”

The organization, which heads economic planning and development for Floyd, Pike, Johnson, Martin, Magoffin counties, is hosting the Big Sandy Adventure Tourism Conference & Expo from June 6 to June 8.

The three-day event grew out of the information-gathering process that the BSADD officials underwent while working on the Big Sandy Regional Adventure Tourism Plan. The overall plan will be disclosed to the public on June 8, shortly after a keynote luncheon address by First Lady Jane Beshear and a panel discussion about adventure tourism.

In hosting the event, BSADD is recognizing National Trails Day and National Fishing and Boating Week.

BSADD Director Sandy Runyon said the conference falls in line with the organization’s mission of improving the quality of life and spurring economic development in the Big Sandy area. Officials wanted to tie the event to promoting healthy lifestyles, which is why Pikeville Medical Center stepped up as a sponsor for various outdoor activities that are taking place on June 6.

“We’re honored to be a part of this. It is our duty as the region’s medical leader to be a good corporate citizen,” said Joshua Ball, the interim vice president of public relations and marketing for PMC.

BSADD officials also said the event could show area residents that adventure tourism could be economically beneficial.

Area businesses and organizations will kick off the adventure tourism conference on June 6 by hosting numerous outdoor adventure activities. The day culminates with an Outdoor Adventure dinner at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park’s. The menu, available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., includes fried frog legs, catfish, roasted buffalo and grilled chicken.

On June 7, vendors and exhibitors will set up shop at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg and several adventure tourism workshops, like fly tying, chain saw instruction, archery and canoe/kayak instruction will be available. Participating vendors include various outdoor clubs and ATV vendors. Family activities, like a child’s fishing pond, will also be available.
Events on these days are free and open to the public. People who pre-register will receive free t-shirts at the events, which offer free prizes to some participants.

On June 8, the conference expands at the MAC, where participants will take part in several panel discussions about tourism-related topics. The sessions include topics like funding an adventure tourism project, building a volunteer base for the project and how ATV trails impact the economy.

The June 8 “Taste of the Region” luncheon at the MAC includes food from local restaurants.

The fee for June 8 events is $15.

For further details, visit www.bigsandy.org, call (606) 886-2374 or email atexpo@bigsandy.org.

Big Sandy Adventure Tourism Conference & Expo sponsors:

• Booth Energy
• Pikeville Medical Center
• TOURSEKY
• Bocook Engineering
• Prestonsburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Pepsi Bottling Group
• Big Sandy Area Development District

June 6 events:

• Big Sandy Water Trail Float Trip—This approximate 4-hour trip spans eight miles from the Combs Airport boat ramp to a boat ramp located behind Paintsville’s Water Treatment Plant on Depot Street. Participants should arrive at Combs Airport at 9 a.m. Event sponsor, the Hatfield-McCoy River Rats, will provide refreshments. About 15 canoes and kayaks are available to people who pre-register and participants can bring their own canoes or kayaks. A livery will bring floaters and boats back to the launch site at the end of the trip.

• Elk Horn Park Mountain Biking Adventure—Floyd County’s Elk Horn Park, located at Turkey Creek, will host its first-ever mountain biking event. More than eight miles of scenic mountain biking trails are available.

• Kentucky Mountain Saddle Club—This 10-mile horse ride begins at the Johnson County Rescue Squad and continues along the vicinity of Paintsville Lake.

• Martin County Saddle Club—This spring horse ride begins at 10 a.m. on June 5-7 at German Bridge in Floyd County. Concessions are available for rides each day. (606) 673-4573.

• Dewey Lake Wildlife Watching Pontoon Boat Ride—This pontoon boat ride, conducted by Jenny Wiley State Resort Park staff, provides a tour of Dewey Lake and its abundant wildlife. The rides begin at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the lake’s marina.

• ATV Ride—At 10 a.m., ATV enthusiasts will depart from Knott County’s Training Facility and travel through various trails offered in Knott County. Guides will take riders on a three- or four-hour trail ride. Participants are asked to have ATVs at the training center by 9:45 a.m. Helmets are required by children who are 16-year-old or younger.

• Jenny Wiley Bike Tour—Prestonsburg’s Pro-Fitness is sponsoring this 30-mile tour that begins at the business at 9 a.m. and continues along Ky. Rt. 321 to Van Lear, around Dewey Lake and returns to the business.

• Jenny Wiley State Park—Call the park (606-889-1790) to learn about National Trails Day events that are scheduled. Events include an overnight canoe trip and a hiking trip.

• Outdoor Adventure Dinner—Jenny Wiley State Resort Park is hosting this dinner with outdoor enthusiasts in mind. The menu includes brown bean and “tater” soup, fried frog legs, roasted buffalo, catfish and hushpuppies, mesquite grilled chicken, various vegetables and desserts. The dinner is available at the May Lodge from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

June 7 events

• Archery 101—Learn 10 basic steps to shoot a bow and other archery skills like safety, testing eye dominance and archery fitness. Attendees can register to win a free Genesis Bow. 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at MAC.

• Bird Watching Adventures in the Big Sandy—Learn the basics of bird watching, finding and interpreting bird clues and attracting birds to a specific location. Attendees can register to win a free pair of binoculars. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at MAC.

• Chain Saw Instruction—Trail club members and people who will perform trail maintenance can get an overview of all aspects of chainsaw work for trails including limbing, bucking and felling operations, proper use, safety and chainsaw maintenance. Attendees can register to win free chaps and a hard hat. 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at MAC and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Elkhorn Park.

• Fly Tying—This educational activity is fund for experienced and non-experienced tiers. Attendees can bring their own materials, but equipment will also be provided. Experienced tiers will learn more advanced techniques. Attendees can register to win a fly tying kit. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MAC.

• GPS 101—This class provides the basics of GPS unit use. A limited number of GPS units available and participants can bring their own unit. Attendees can register to win a free GPS unit. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at MAC.

• Canoe/Kayak Instruction—This class will teach beginners kayak safety and technique. A door prize will be given away. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Archer Park.

• Wildlife Photography—Photographer Kenny Mitchell will offer tips and techniques on taking wildlife photos. Bring your camera. Attendees can register to receive a free digital camera. 2 p .m. to 4 p.m. at MAC.

• Bicycle Maintenance and Flat Repair—This class provides information about repairing flats and other maintenance and preventive maintenance measures. Paricipants can bring their bike for an inspection and register to win a 20 inch bike. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at MAC.

• Wildlife in the Big Sandy—This event is a great family activity. Participants will get first-hand views of reptiles and amphibians like frogs, lizards, salamanders, snakes and turtles. Attendees can register to receive a free field guide. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at MAC.

• Turkey Calling—Last year’s second place state champion turkey caller Dewayne Tackett, will teach several turkey calling techniques. Attendees can register to win a free turkey calling DVD. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at MAC.

June 8 events

• The Big Sandy Adventure Tourism Conference & Expo will feature nine concurrent sessions and panel discussions about adventure tourism topics at the Mountain Arts Center. These sessions will help area leaders and people interested in developing specific adventure tourism initiatives.

8:45 a.m.
• Designing an Interpretive Trail—This workshop will explain how God’s Promise Trail in Inez came to be a good example of the development of an interpretive trail and a spiritual tourism destination.

• Planning for Trail Maintenance—Participants will learn how to develop and implement a successful maintenance plan, which may be necessary to receive funding and maintain existing trails.

• What is a Rails-to-Trails Project?—Facilitated by the Kentucky Rails to Trails Council, this session will provide the basics of rail-trail development and give an update of the status of rail-trail projects in the state. The proposed Big Lovely Rail-Trail, which would run 34 miles through Johnson, Magoffin and Breathitt counties—will be discussed.

9:45 a.m.

• Implementing Recreational Use Agreements—This workshop provides information about Senate Bill 196, which allows the state to enter into land-use agreements with landowners to construct adventure tourism sites. ATV trail and horse trail developers may find this information of particular interest.

• Water Trail Development—This workshop provides an overview of what a water trail is, where some water trails are and how to develop a water trail. The Big Sandy Water Trail Project will be discussed and a panel discussion is scheduled.

• Funding an Adventure Tourism Project—Overview of grants available from the Recreational Trails Program, Transportation Enhancements Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Program. Other grant opportunities will also be discussed.

10:45 a.m.
• Building a Volunteer Base for your Project—Representatives from Perry County’s Pathfinders, Floyd County’s Elk Horn Park and Inez’s Kingfisher Trail will explain how a strong volunteer base enabled projects and they will also answer questions.

• ATV Trails and Economic Development—West Virginia officials will discuss how the Hatfield McCoy ATV Trail changed the footprint of the town of Gilbert. Updates on several ATV projects in eastern Kentucky will also be provided.

• *Developing a Wildlife Watching Project—This workshop will present ways that communities can benefit from developing and marketing wildlife viewing activities. Driving tours, wildlife viewing stations and programming coordination will be discussed.

11:45 a.m.

• Taste of the Region” Luncheon with First Lady Jane Beshear serving as keynote speaker.

1:45 p.m.
• Adventure Tourism Panel Discussion about the impact of adventure tourism

3 p.m.
• Big Sandy Regional Adventure Tourism Plan Presentation

3:45 p.m.

• Closing remarks, questions and answers