Hot Springs to Celebrate Appalachian Trail Town Status

 

Join the Appalachian Trail Conservancy on October 3rd for License Plate Celebration and A.T. Sidewalk-Emblem Ribbon-Cutting

 

Hot Springs, N.C. – In a celebration in Hot Springs, the only North Carolina town the Appalachian Trail passes through, former State Senator Joe Sam Queen, who was responsible for getting the Friends of the Appalachian Trail license plate authorized by the North Carolina legislature, will be advocating a new way for the public to be involved with trail stewardship: through purchasing the plate each year.  This new source of revenue ($20 from each plate) for the nonprofit ATC will help the organization expand its community and school outreach programs- in search of more volunteers to help it preserve natural and cultural resources along the famous footpath.  Mayor Deborah Ponder and Senator Queen will be presenting ATC with a replica of the initial $10,000 check from the Division of Motor Vehicles, and kicking off a campaign to sell more than 5,000 plates by the end of 2006.

 

Following the check presentation, Mayor Ponder and other officials will dedicate new A.T. sidewalk emblems made by Hand Made in America with a ribbon-cutting. The diamond-shaped emblems are being put down along the Appalachian Trail where it passes through the town to promote the Trail as well as the town and their relationship.   David Quinn, from the Small Cities Program, states that the emblems “were made to appreciate the A.T. as an important natural resource for the town of Hot Springs.  There are so many assets that the town has, and we want to bring attention to them.  We are very happy and appreciative to have partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, the ATC and the town of Hot Springs that have made this possible.” 

 

Light refreshments will follow the ceremony.

 

WHAT:            Appalachian Trail Conservancy Hot Springs Ceremony

 

WHEN:            October 3rd, 11:00 am

 

            WHERE:         Downtown Hot Springs

 

WHO:  The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC),

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julie Judkins, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Asheville: 828.254.3708 jjudkins@appalachiantrail.org

For more information about the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, please visit www.appalachiantrail.org