Clarksville-Montgomery County Christmas Parade to be held Saturday
December 3, 2021
Clarksville, TN – The annual Christmas parade, hosted by the City of Clarksville and Montgomery County Government, will take place at 5:00pm on Saturday, December 4th, 2021 in downtown Clarksville. Long-time local reporter and radio personality, Lee Irwin, will honorably serve as this year’s parade grand marshal and was selected for his many years of announcing the parade and ongoing support of the Clarksville community.
The parade route will begin on Eighth Street on the Austin Peay State University (APSU) campus. From Eighth Street, the parade will progress to College Street and then to University Avenue. From there the route is the same as years past, proceeding around Public Square, the Historic Courthouse, and back to Franklin Street. From Franklin, the route will turn onto Eighth Street and then return onto the APSU Campus. A map of the route can be found at https://bit.ly/3G8m97H
Clarksville Christmas Parade.
December Science on Tap to focus on the good news from climate change, biodiversity
December 1, 2021
Clarksville, TN – Earlier this month, at the United Nations global climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, 197 countries – including the United States – signed a climate pact that included pledges to reduce methane gas pollution, deforestation, and coal financing.
That’s good news. Really good news.
Michelle Rogers. (APSU)
Visit Clarksville announces Tennessee East-West All-Star Classic to be played at APSU
November 19, 2021
Clarksville, TN – Tennessee’s top 88 senior football players will once again compete in Clarksville for the Tennessee East-West All-Star Classic, scheduled to be played at Austin Peay State University (APSU) on Friday, December 10th. 2021.
“This event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Clarksville to families across the state of Tennessee, many of whom have never visited before,” said Visit Clarksville Chairman Matt Cunningham. “While athletes are involved in daily practices, parents enjoy exploring the city and trying different restaurants. It’s just enough time to whet their appetite for a longer visit later.”
Tennessee East-West All-Star Classic returns to Clarksville. (David Smith)
Christmas with David Steinquest and Friends returns to APSU December 3rd
November 5, 2021
Clarksville, TN – If you squint, the asterisk almost looks like a snowflake, which means the symbol is on the theme when referring to the 12th* Annual Christmas with David Steinquest and Friends concert.
Why the asterisk? It’s tacked onto the title because the holiday tradition began in 2009 at Austin Peay State University (APSU), but then the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic put a halt to last year’s show.
Austin Peay State University’s Safe Trick-or-Treating event G.H.O.S.T. set for Sunday, October 31st
October 29, 2021
Clarksville, TN – G.H.O.S.T. – or Greater Halloween Options for Safe Trick-or-treating – returns to the Austin Peay State University (APSU) campus this fall with a drive-through-style alternative for families on Halloween.
The event is free and open to anyone in the community. Austin Peay State University clubs and organizations, and groups from throughout the community, dress up and hand out candy.
Halloween at Archwood, which will be one of the stops during Austin Peay State University’s G.H.O.S.T. (APSU)
APSU’s November Science on Tap to explore ‘Cryptography and You’
October 27, 2021
Clarksville, TN – Trust is a premium currency. Its value appreciates continuously until one breach causes it to deteriorate. The transfer of data is built on trust. Trust that protocols are upheld and that the systems protecting your information work properly.
Austin Peay State University Department of Computer Science and Information Technology associate professor Dr. Nicholas Coleman. (APSU)
Gateway Chamber Orchestra to preform Holiday Favorite The Nutcraker
October 24, 2021
Clarksville, TN – Enjoy the holidays with the Gateway Chamber Orchestra as they announce their return to the stage with a modern interpretation of The Nutcracker.
In their first live audience performance since February 2020, the GCO presents the Tchaikovsky favorite with a Duke Ellington twist featuring special guest artists from the Nashville Ballet.
Gateway Chamber Orchestra Returns to the Stage with Holiday Performance of The Nutcracker on December 11th and 12th.
Roxy Regional Theatre tells the story of Harriet Tubman with “Freedom Train”, October 15th-23rd
October 7, 2021
Clarksville, TN – The thrilling story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad will come to life upon the stage of Clarksville’s oldest professional theatre, the Roxy Regional Theatre, this month.
Eboné Amos, assistant professor of African American Studies and Theatre and Dance at Austin Peay State University, stars as Harriet Tubman in “Freedom Train”, a play with music, at the Roxy Regional Theatre, beginning Friday, October 15th, at 8:00pm. In keeping with the theatre’s pay-what-you-can opening night tradition, all tickets not pre-sold at the regular price will go on sale at 7:30pm that evening for a $5.00 minimum donation.
Eboné Amos stars as Harriet Tubman in “Freedom Train” at the Roxy Regional Theatre, October 15th-23rd.
APSU this Week: Honoring Latino Military Heroes event coming on Tuesday
September 27, 2021
Clarksville, TN – On Tuesday, September 28th, 2021, the Latino Community Resource Center (LCRC) and the Military Student Center will host the second annual Honoring Latino Military Heroes event – a part of Latinx Heritage Month – at 3:00pm-4:00pm in the Morgan University Center (MUC) Ballroom.
Montgomery County Ranks 9th in Tennessee for Tourism Spending in 2020
September 24, 2021
Clarksville, TN – Clarksville-Montgomery County visitor spending outpaced the state and nation during 2020, despite a global pandemic.
Local tourism generated $252.14 million in domestic and international travel spending in 2020, a 28 percent decline from the previous year according to newly-released economic impact data from U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. Tourism spending decreased 32 percent in Tennessee and 42 percent in the nation in 2020.
A visiting family masks up at the TSSAA Middle Cross County State Finals held in Clarksville in October 2020. (Visit Clarksville)
During the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, last week Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell announced that Tennessee’s leisure and hospitality industry was on a record track the first two months of 2020. COVID-19 was the largest crisis to hit the leisure and hospitality industry in history.
“Tennessee proved our resiliency by outperforming the nation,” he said. “During April, May, and June [2021] our tax revenue is out-performing pre-COVID numbers. And from April 2020 through January 21, Tennessee is one of only seven states with a positive percentage change in consumer spending.”
The 2020 economic impact report used a new research model that provided international data at the county level, which had previously only been available at the state level, as well as more comprehensive lodging information using mobile data. The report also breaks down spending by industry sector for the first time. All county-level reporting was adjusted back to 2015 to incorporate the more thorough and detailed data.
Between 2015 and 2019, annual visitor spending in Montgomery County increased from $281 million to $352.5 million, a 25.4 percent increase, then decreased to $252 million in 2020. Average visitor spending in Montgomery County totaled just under $689,000 per day in 2020.
“We’ve experienced record-breaking growth in tourism during the previous five years,” said Visit Clarksville Board of Directors Chairman Matt Cunningham. “And we’ve not stopped marketing, so we’re well-positioned for a strong economic rebound. Like the state, we saw the beginnings of a big bounce-back in the early summer. Visitors and residents have made excellent use of our outdoor assets and recreational opportunities. We also have such a variety of restaurants here, and most all of them adapted well to meet safety protocols. These have given visitors and residents opportunities to experience our community safely and still support the local economy.”
Data from the Tourism Economics report showed that direct state and local taxes generated by tourist activity totaled $21 million. As a result of visitor spending, each household in Montgomery County pays $290 less in state and local taxes. Counting indirect spending throughs supporting industries, that amount totals $436 per household annually.
Other report highlights for Montgomery County:
- Direct labor income, or payroll, totaled $81.46 million, with 3,300 persons directly employed in tourism sectors.
- Food and Beverage spending totaled $90.5 million
- Lodging spending totaled $44.95 million
- Retail spending totaled $36.8 million
- Recreation spending totaled $20.56 million
- Transportation spending totaled $59.3 million
Visitor spending in Tennessee’s top nine counties in 2020:
- Davidson County, $4.48 billion, down 43.2 percent
- Shelby County, $2.57 billion, down 31.7 percent
- Sevier County, $2.38 billion, down 13.5 percent
- Knox County $1.16 billion, down 31.7 percent
- Hamilton County, $1.07 billion, down 30.2 percent
- Williamson County, $775 million, down 31.1 percent
- Rutherford County, $472 million, down 27.6 percent
- Blount County, $337 million, down 33.8 percent
- Montgomery County, $252 million, down 28.5 percent
During 2020, Visit Clarksville hosted sports competitions in soccer, track & field, baseball, and softball that generated $9.3 million in visitor spending. In 2021, outdoor events kicked off again in May with baseball, track & field, and softball.
In July, Visit Clarksville hosted its first indoor sports competition with the AAU Boys National Basketball Championship, followed by another large outdoor softball tournament. This fall the TSSAA Middle School Cross Country State Finals takes place October 1st-2nd at Weakley Park, and the TACA East vs. West All-Star Football Championship happens December 7th-10th at Austin Peay State University.
“Fortunately, we weren’t completely shut down,” said Visit Clarksville Executive Director, Theresa Harrington. “Competitive sports, especially outdoor events, did still happen. We are blessed to have facilities that can accommodate those, and we worked with event organizers to make sure protocols were in place that kept everyone safe and still provided an excellent guest experience. In most cases, we are seeing fewer teams and attendance, but the good news is that people are traveling again, and that boosts the economy and benefits everyone.”
Cunningham also expressed optimism about the future of tourism in Montgomery County.
“From a tourism standpoint, we have a well-rounded economy because we’re not dependent on one primary attraction,” he said. “We have outstanding recreational assets and scenic beauty, historic attractions, family fun centers, entertainment, performing and visual arts, local shopping, a diverse food scene, and an emerging craft beverage scene. It’s been a hard year and many businesses have felt losses from reduced travel, but we’ve fared better than many places. We’ve had a good first quarter, so we’re looking ahead, planning ahead, and expecting economic prosperity again for all of our industries.”
About Visit Clarksville
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Tourism Commission was established by the State of Tennessee in 1979 to positively influences tourism in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area by promoting tourist attractions, hosting conventions and group tours, and engaging in large-scale marketing efforts. In 2015, the organization adopted the Visit Clarksville brand. Visit Clarksville is governed by a nine-member board of directors and is funded by a portion of the local hotel/motel tax.
