We are blessed to have many local organizations making efforts to attract visitors to Western Tidewater. Two weeks ago, Blackwater Community Events, who sponsors the very successful Franklin Cruise In, worked with the City of Franklin to put on a spectacular Independence Day celebration for our community, complete with a terrific fireworks extravaganza. Downtown Franklin was packed with attendees, and a great time was had by all.

This weekend, The Franklin Experience, a new non-profit whose aim is also to promote events that attract new visitors to town, is hosting a baseball showcase that will include 11 high school travel teams from around the state. These elite teams will play a total of 19 games on Saturday and Sunday at both Armory Field and at Camp Community College’s home of the Hurricanes. Games begin at 9 a.m. on both days and will continue until about 8 p.m. both evenings.

Events such as these don’t just happen on their own. They happen because dedicated volunteers who care about their community are willing to give of their time and resources to make Western Tidewater a better place to live and to visit.

We are grateful for all of their efforts.