Corbin City Commission provided with updates on Corbin Tourism projects

The status on the proposed Finger Lickin’ Musical, efforts to market Corbin as a conference and convention destination, and a number of other upcoming tourism related events were topics of discussion during Monday’s monthly Corbin City Commission Meeting.

The Finger Lickin’ Musical is a proposed musical about the life of Kentucky Fried Chicken Founder Colonel Harland Sanders, who opened his first restaurant in Corbin.

In response to a question from City Commissioner Brandon Shepherd about the status of the Finger Lickin’ Musical, Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Monhollen said that she plans to make a presentation about the musical during next month’s city commission meeting.

“We are looking at a much bigger scale. I have been working on the pieces of how to achieve that scale to present,” Monhollen explained.

Monhollen said that she has talked to all kinds of people about the project, but has been working closely with Matt Davenport Productions out of Nashville, which is kind of a one-stop shop for consultation and production.

“We want to have a better idea of what we are looking at long term in total cost, but we are going to have to make a small investment to be able to get that vision. A consultation takes a little bit of investment,” Monhollen noted.

Monhollen also updated the commission on a marketing initiative that is underway.

She noted that she had previously applied for some grant funding to enable the Corbin Tourism and Convention Commission to market Corbin as a conference and convention destination.

Monhollen noted that there is a travel writer, who was in town for two days this week, who is working on an eight-page spread for Small Market Meetings Magazine, which is a national publication for meeting planners.

In addition, Monhollen gave the commission a quick update on a number of recent or upcoming events.

• Corbin will be hosting the SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) Summit on Oct. 3-4.

“It is the premiere event for Appalachia and Corbin is graced to have the opportunity to host,” Monhollen said.

Mayor Suzie Razmus agreed encouraging city leaders to show up, show out and show participants a good time.

SOAR is a regional nonpartisan nonprofit that champions local projects, programs, and advocacy for the 54 ARC-mandated counties in Eastern Kentucky. Its mandate is to fill the economic gaps left by the decline of the coal industry. Its task is to rally our communities to help us achieve these goals together for the good of all.

• The Sweetest Week will be taking place Oct. 2-7 at participating Corbin restaurants.

“$6 gets you a yummy, ooey, gooey decadent dessert in one of our participating restaurants,” Monhollen said.

Participating restaurants include: The Depot, M&M Rooftop Garden, Sweeties Ice Cream, Folktale Coffee, Si Senor, Bubby’s BBQ, Mi Casa #3, Santa Fe and Old Town Grill.

• Octoberfest will take place on Oct. 14.

• The Keep Corbin Clean Liter Movement involved a community clean-up on Saturday, Sept. 2, and had 35 participants. Monhollen is hoping to add another community clean-up next spring.