Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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24 UCW DECEMBER 30 - JANUARY 5, 2016 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM a CELEBRATE 2016 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melody Foote Director of Communications Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Liberty Point Bulletin MARKETING CUMBERLAND COUNTY The North Carolina General Assembly and the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association endorse occupancy tax guidelines that state that two-thirds of occupancy tax collected must be used for tourism promotion. Tourism promotion is defined as: advertise or market an area, publish brochures and other materials, engage in research or other activities that attract tourists or business travelers to an area." By legislation, Cumberland County is required to levy an occupancy tax. This tax is collected through hotels, and paid for by overnight tourists staying at their properties. Of the 6% occupancy tax collected, 1.5% goes toward debt reduction on the Crown Coliseum and 1.5% goes to the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. The balance is used to promote tourism within Cumberland County. These funds are distributed through the Tourism Development Authority (TDA). On December 31st, Cumberland County offers several fun opportunities to say goodbye to 2015 and welcome 2016. Several branches of the Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center are holding "Noon Year's Eve" celebrations at 11 a.m. All ages are welcome for crafts, dancing and a count- down at 1 minute to noon. Registration is required. For more information, visit: cumberland.lib.nc.us. Tie on your skates and ring in the New Year at Round-A-Bout Skating Center. The event starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. For more information, call 910-484- 4465. On of the region's most unique celebra- tions, the Eastover Flea Drop, starts at 10 p.m. at the Eastover Community Build- ing. Following musical entertainment and a speaker discussing Eastover's "flea" heritage, a 3-foot-tall, 30-pound ceramic flea will drop to welcome 2016. Once the flea hits bottom, a replica 1861 cannon will be fired. Learn more at VisitFayettevilleNC.com The Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (FACVB) is contracted through the TDA to receive funds to promote tourism within Cumberland County. The bureau fulfills this through its mission of positioning Cumberland County as a destination for meetings, tournaments and individual travel. The FACVB is responsible for promoting tourism assets in all Cumberland County municipalities. A great example of this inclusiveness is seen in the 18 cultural Heritage Driving Trails. The trails divide many of Cumberland County's tourism assets into specific themes - such as African-American Heritage; Patriots, Past & Present; Literary Lanes; Religious Freedom; All-American Adventure and International Cuisine. Sites on the trails take visitors throughout Cumberland County. The trails, which were developed with input from a panel of historians, offer a great education on Cumberland County history. Learn more at VisitFayettevilleNC.com. FOR WEDNESDAY DISTRIBUTION ROUTE CONTACT DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Laurel Handforth @ (910) 484-6200 or Email laurel@upandcomingweekly.com for further information. MUST HAVE VEHICLE, VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE AND INSURANCE