“Five Over 5000” has attracted people from across Virginia and beyond to this region’s highest peaks. Now, a $15,000 grant will help market the program and, hopefully, bring more visits to Smyth County.
The Smyth County Tourism Association, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, received the marketing grant from Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC). The grant is expected to promote outdoor recreation in Smyth County, and particularly the Five Over 5000 Challenge, a self-paced hiking challenge celebrating the five peaks over 5,000 feet in elevation, all within Smyth and Grayson counties.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger announced the award, which was one of 143, during National Travel and Tourism Week. The matching grants and sponsorship funds totaled $2.2 million.
Overall, the grants are expected to impact 858 localities, businesses, and organizations that partner with VTC to encourage statewide tourism.
“The strength of Virginia’s tourism industry is critical to local economies across every region of our Commonwealth,” said Spanberger in a news release. “From rural communities to our urban centers, this funding will showcase the full breadth and beauty of our home while supporting jobs, expanding opportunities for small businesses, and driving economic growth statewide.”
VTC’s tourism marketing and sponsorship programs are designed to maximize limited marketing dollars through public-private partnerships, stimulate new tourism promotion initiatives, and extend the iconic Virginia is for Lovers brand.
In the Five Over 5000 Challenge, participants are expected to hike five peaks and taking a picture at each summit to prove it. The mountains and their elevations are Mount Rogers, 5,729; Whitetop, 5,525; Pine, 5,525; Buzzard Rock, 5,095; and Haw Orchard, 5,007.
According to the Chamber, there are no time constraints on the Challenge, and hikers can complete it over the course of a month or a year. Challengers who complete the Five over 5000 Challenge receive commemorative stickers and pins and are added to the Wall of Fame.
The new promotional campaign is expected to build on Smyth County’s tag line “Virginia’s High Point,” giving visitors a fun way to explore some of the less famous peaks in the area.
"Outdoor recreation continues to be one of Smyth County’s greatest economic assets and a major driver in how we position our community for growth,” said Sarah Gillespie, Smyth County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “The creation of the Five Over 5000 Hiking Challenge was rooted in the idea that our natural resources are not only something to be protected and celebrated, but also something that can help strengthen local businesses, attract visitors, and support long-term economic development across the region. We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and shared vision of Smyth County Tourism and the Virginia Tourism Corporation in growing this initiative. This project is another example of what can happen when organizations come together with a common goal of building a stronger, more vibrant community — that’s what being Smyth Strong is all about."
“Smyth County has always drawn visitors for its outdoor adventures, from Hungry Mother State Park to the Appalachian Trail, to the Back of the Dragon. I’m proud to partner with the Chamber of Commerce on this project, and I think this will bring even more visitors to experience all the amazing things we have to offer,” said Director of Tourism Amanda Livingston.
Other area recipients include Bland County Tourism, Continuation of The Big Picture, $15,000; Back of The Dragon, Ride the Dragon-Stay and Explore Tazewell, $10,000; The Crooked Road, Find Your Song, $18,750; Friends of Southwest Virginia, Fish Blue Ridge: Southwest Virginia’s Regional Fly Fishing Tourism Initiative, $20,000; The Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre (Red Stag Inc.), Dinner. Show. Done., $10,000; Wythe County Tourism, Take a Time Out in Wythe: Trails Tunes and Twigs, $15,000; and Wytheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mountain Masterpieces: Meeting the Wytheville Makers, $30,000.
