“Romp Around Rome” Events Planned for National Tourism Week

 The Greater Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau (GRCVB) announces “Romp Around Rome” events and activities are planned for National Travel & Tourism Week celebration, May 2-10, 2015.

The week will celebrate several facets of tourism from the front-line workers in the hospitality and service industry to opportunities for locals to gain the full visitor experience by becoming tourists in their own town.  “The nationwide week of events serves to promote the power of the tourism industry,” said Lisa Smith, GRCVB Executive Director. “Tourism is an engine for economic development and adds to the quality of life in Georgia’s Rome.”

“Romp Around Rome” National Travel & Tourism Week includes the following events and activities:

• Monday, April 27, City Proclamation – Proclamation by Mayor Jamie Doss and the Rome City Commission of National Travel & Tourism Week in Rome. The declaration will be announced at 6:30 p.m. at the commission meeting at Rome City Hall, 601 Broad St.

• Saturday, May 2, Free Trolley Tours – Free tours aboard the Toonerville Trolley will be led by docent Debbie Galloway, featuring Jackson Hill, historic Downtown Rome, Myrtle Hill, and Between the River highlights from over 150 years of history. Tours depart from the Rome-Floyd Visitor Center at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and last approximately one hour each. Tours are free, but advance reservations are required. Each tour is limited to 23 passengers. Call 706.295.5576 to reserve a seat.

Clock Tower Fun – Visitor Center guests can capture a fun photo at the new Clock Tower Photo Booth created by artist, Reanell Passons. Also on Saturday, the free 1st Saturday Clock Tower tours are offered from Noon until 1:15 p.m.  Meet at the Clock Tower, tour the museum and climb to the top of the clock!

Myrtle Hill Cemetery Tree Tour – Tour and discover forty different species of trees at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. Forester, Len Woodward has identified and mapped a wide selection of trees including the rare Southern Catalpa tree. Maps are available at the Visitor Center and Downtown Welcome Center.

• Sunday, May 3, Sulzbacher Roman Holiday Tour– The Rolling on the River Sunday Cruise on the Sulzbacher Roman Holiday returns with Captain Dennis Nordeman. The river history themed tour will include highlights on Rome’s riverboat, Native American, and Civil War history. The tour departs at 2 p.m. from the Heritage Park dock. The tour is limited to 45 passengers and reservations must be made in advance. Admission: adults, $8; children under 12, $5.

• May 4 – May 7, Superstars Recognized- Surprise on-site presentations of “Superstar of Service” customer service award winners at their respective places of business. Awards recognize those who consistently display the southern hospitality that makes the Rome-Floyd community attractive to visitors.

• Wednesday, May 6, Rome Braves – Catch one of Rome’s most popular attractions and summer traditions, the Rome Braves! Immediately following the 7 p.m. game, adults can run the bases and relive some childhood memories.

• Friday, May 8, Lunch at the Labyrinth – Enjoy lunch and live music from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at one of Rome’s hidden treasures, the Labyrinth of Rome, located at the base of Jackson Hill. Pick up fresh selections from “Rome Grown, Rome Made” Farmer’s Market located beside the Visitor Center and Last Stop Gift Shop. Bring your own lunch or purchase everyone’s favorite All-American lunch from the Weenie Brothers. Enjoy the sounds of acoustic folk blues featuring musician John Schroeder.

“Through the visitor and welcome centers, the tourism office comes in contact with many residents who aren’t aware of the various attractions, events and activities that Georgia’s Rome offers,” said Charlene Mathis, Visitor Center Manger. “We encourage our locals to see Rome through the eyes of a tourist with these fun activities during National Travel & Tourism Week.”

The GRCVB is the official destination and sports marketing organization of Rome and Floyd County, Ga. The GRCVB’s mission is to strengthen the economic prosperity of the community through tourism development by attracting leisure travelers, conventions, meetings, sports and events.

According to reports from the U.S. Travel Association, tourists spent $129,046,000 in Floyd County during 2013, the most recent year that results are available. Additionally the tourism industry supported 1,210 jobs throughout the service and hospitality industries.  Travelers to Rome and Floyd County generated $4.62 million in state tax revenue and $3.8 million in local tax revenue.  Each Floyd county household received $234.34 in tax relief per household as a result of taxes generated by tourism economic activity.

For more information about National Travel & Tourism Week, visit www.USTravel.org. To learn more about tourism in Rome and Floyd County and “Romp Around Rome” events, call 706.295.5576 or visit www.RomeGeorgia.org.

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About the Author

Our Georgia's Rome tourism team works hard to curate content to help you discover and explore our beautiful town! We want to ensure our content is up-to-date and accurate; so please let us know if we ever overlook an important detail! This post was originally written by Kristi Kent and is updated by staff.