LAKE ARTHUR, La. (AP) - The Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission hopes new brochures, T-shirts and other promotional items will help make residents and visitors more aware of what the Flyway Byway has to offer.
Commission spokeswoman Jamie Lee and marketing director Dione Sabelhaus will be visiting businesses and attractions this week to promote the 55-mile-plus scenic driving route, the American Press reported (https://bit.ly/1eOXZNb ).
“We will be targeting attractions, gas stations and any other places visitors may stop and make sure those businesses know what the byway is about so that when people ask questions about the Flyway Byway they will know what to tell them,” Lee said.
The two will also be talking with businesses on what the Flyway Byway can do for them and the parish.
Tourism dollars generate $19 million in Jefferson Davis Parish, she said. Revenue is generated from the sale of gas and food, hotel stays and visits to attractions, she said.
Signs will soon mark the byway, Louisiana’s 11th designated scenic route.
Expansion plans call for adding signs and other information for water routes for boating, canoeing, kayaking and birdwatching. More bike paths are also planned.
Tourism Director Marion “Butch” Fox said plans are underway for a 12-mile kayak or canoe race down Lacassine Bayou from Sportsman’s Park in Welsh and a bicycle race to garner national publicity.
“The Lacassine Bayou is a nice canoe route,” Lee said. “It’s very untouched, with a lot of wildlife and alligators the size of canoes.”
Resident Theresa Lyons said the Flyway Byway provides an excellent opportunity for birdwatching, including opportunities to spot the rare yellow rail. “People keep a life list and come from all over the United States and other countries to see the bird,” she said.
The parish hosts the annual Yellow Rails and Rice Festival, and Thornwell has been designated as the Yellow Rail Capital of the World. This year’s festival will be Oct. 29-Nov. 2.
“Everyone who has attended in the past has been thrilled at the scenery, food and hospitality,” Lyons said.
An interactive birding list is included in the new Flyway Byway guide.
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Information from: American Press, https://www.americanpress.com
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