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Naming and Designating Committee approves bill to name Roan Mountain festivals as state historical festivals
Summary
The committee voted 6-0 to pass House bill 26 14, introduced by Representative Jones, which would designate two Roan Mountain events as state historical festivals to help market the area and support recovery after recent flooding. The bill was referred to the State and Local Government committee.
The Naming and Designating Committee voted 6-0 to pass House bill 26 14, introduced by Representative Jones, which would designate two Roan Mountain events as historical festivals in Tennessee and referred the bill to the State and Local Government Committee.
Representative Jones told the committee the bill follows a precedent used to name the outdoor drama "Liberty" as the state's official historical outdoor drama. "So what this bill does ... we just wanna name those as historical festival in the state of Tennessee, to be able to help them market and especially with the flooding that's gonna help them get more visitors back into the area and increase their revenues," Representative Jones said.
During discussion, Representative Warner asked about the nature of the events. Representative Jones said the Rotary Dinner Festival and the fall festival are family-oriented events held near the state park with vendors, live gospel and country music, crafts and opportunities for hiking. She said attendance has been low in recent years and that the event was canceled in 2024.
A brief exchange followed over the festival name (a rhododendron-related play on words) before the committee took a roll-call vote. The clerk reported "6 ayes and 0 nos," and the chair announced that House bill 26 14 passed and would be sent to the State and Local Government committee for further consideration.
The meeting adjourned "subject to call of the chair."
