GRANVILLE – Four Upper Cumberland towns have formed a new tourism-focused group to specifically promote the Cumberland River and Cordell Hull Lake.
Parties representing Carthage, Gainesboro, Granville and South Carthage have come together to form “Rivertowns of the Historic Cumberland.” The united effort will work to enhance awareness and boost tourism for Cordell Hull Lake by promoting new events to occur on there as well as the Cumberland River.
The group meets every month on Wednesday, Randall Clemons, president of Granville Museum, said, and has developed plans for a fishing tournament, developed a logo for Rivertowns of the Historic Cumberland and will be doing Cumberland River Cruises in May and October.
“Cordell Hull Lake is a major asset that hasn’t been promoted and many residents of Middle Tennessee don’t even know it exists,” said Bill Woodard, director of Smith County Chamber. “The two chambers and historic Granville came together to brainstorm ways they could work together and this was determined to be the greatest need. Discussions have been ongoing for the last year.”
“We are very proud to be a part of the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association, which is a great example of how different towns, organizations and business can work together for the benefit of the Upper Cumberland,” added Sam Petty, president of Jackson County Chamber. “As a result of our connections with this group we have formed this separate endeavor to promote Rivertowns of the Historic Cumberland.”
The first event that has been scheduled is the “Cordell Hull Big Bass & Crappie Classic” to occur Saturday, May 17, in Granville. Sponsors are now being secured for the tournament, which will benefit Rivertowns of the Historic Cumberland as well as the chambers of Carthage, Gainesboro and Granville Museum. For more information, call Odell Braswell at (931) 260-9666, Woodard at (615) 735-2093 or Petty at (931) 268-0971.
Other events planned by Towns of the Historic Cumberland are Cumberland River Cruises May 23-25 and Oct. 3-5.