March Tourism Highlights

Where do I even begin for March tourism?  As you probably already know, we had quite a few visitors (easily over 100,000) in Selma the first weekend in March for the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee and also for President Obama's speech the day before.  It was definitely an experience I will never forget.  I had the privilege of helping at the Joint Information Center with the media crews that were covering the events.  We answered any questions they had and provided water, coffee, and free Wi-Fi for them.  Many of the crews were there for 24 hours a day for 3 to 4 days straight to cover the events.  I also had the opportunity to hear President Obama's speech along with 41,000 other people in attendance and millions of viewers throughout the nation.

Just a small portion of the 41,000 people in attendance for President Obama's speech.

Leading up to this 50th Anniversary, the local faith community came together on March 1 for a Faith and Unity Walk.  Over 2,000 locals walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge for this event to show the world that Selma is united as one.

Over 2,000 locals came together to show unity in Selma.

March 5 - 9 was busy with events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Movement and the brave men and women who fought for equal rights.  At one point I was standing right beside Martin Luther King, III and all I could do was stare at him because I just could not believe that was really him.  (Sorry for staring, Martin!).

Over 100,000 people in Selma at one time to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

The next week, the April 1865 Society unveiled the fifth in a series of historic markers.  These are some of the most advanced historic markers because they feature a map and QR Code on the back.  About a week later, they unveiled the sixth marker with plans to install four more before the annual Battle of Selma Re-enactment April 23 - 26.

Historic Marker #5: Located at Battery Avenue and Summerfield Road

Historic Marker #6: Located at Lapsley Street and the Railroad Track.

March 20 - 21, the Selma-Dallas County Historic Preservation Society held the 40th Annual Historic Selma Pilgrimage, which featured both Civil War and Civil Rights sites.  I personally visited every site and even rode the welcome wagon and I did not realize how many churches had such beautiful stained glass windows!  All seven churches on the tour had magnificent stained glass windows and if you ever have the opportunity to tour them - do it! You will not regret it.

Stained glass window at St. Paul's Episcopal Church designed by Clara Weaver Parrish.

Immediately following Pilgrimage, I traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana to represent Selma and Dallas County at the Travel South Showcase.  I spoke one on one with dozens of writers and travel companies to encourage them to visit Selma.  Many of them had no idea that Selma had so much to offer!  I suspect many of them will be booking tours to Selma and writing stories about Selma, especially since we just had a global audience.  Also, I won a gift card by putting at the Group Tour Media booth!

They even put my name on the board!

March did not disappoint with all of the exciting Tourism events and April will bring just as many.  Stay tuned for next month's blog on the April events!