Apr 11
25
Waynesboro Mystery Tour
A big white bus of over fifty tourists came from Waynesboro, MS on a mystery tour of Marion County on April 21, 2011. They did not know where they were going, but they really enjoyed it when they got here. After refreshing themselves from the trip at the MCDP building, the tour group was joined by Tourism Committee members Author Brandi Perry and Poet Randy Davis who served as their tour guides for the trip. The group paid a visit to Wesley’s Bee Farm in Foxworth, where they mused at Dwight Wesley’s funny stories, tasted some delicious honey and learned about the art of beekeeping. Each person on the tour got to take some honey home with them and bring a sweet taste to Waynesboro from Marion County.
After leaving the bee farm, the group winded its way up Hwy 587 to see the magnificent views at Red Bluff while being entertained by their tour guides. On their way, they got to see the grave of a Revolutionary War Soldier, they were educated on some of the history of Marion County by Brandi Perry, and they listened to an original poem, recited by Randy Davis.
The Hugh White Governor’s Mansion was the next stop, where they drank tea and were told about the history of the home, its location on Key’s Hill, and its restoration by owner Ann Simmons. They also learned about Governor White’s two terms as Governor of Mississippi and his national BAWI Program, while they roamed the grounds of the home and its sunken gardens.
Coming back into downtown Columbia through the historic Church Street district, they viewed some of our beautiful homes and churches on their way to dine at the Round Table Restaurant for a delicious lunch. There, they traded recipes, relaxed on the front porch, took pictures in the giant rocking chair, and marveled at the antics of Captain Gary Blackwell from Pearl River Airboat Adventures, as he cranked his airboat for them.
The group moved on to Pioneer Aerospace to witness the parachute factory in action with over four hundred employees and then, on to the Marion County Museum to see some local history, up close and personal. Museum Curator Chris Watts taught the crowd about the John Ford Home and the influence Marion County had in the early days of the Mississippi Territory. Many of the visitors were impressed with the Indian artifacts, military memorabilia, Civil War uniforms, old photographs, and the Sports Hall of Fame that features such greats as Walter Payton and Eagle Day.
At the end of the museum tour, the visitors scattered throughout downtown, for a while, to visit the Artwistic Revolution art gallery, to grab a cup of coffee at the Second Street Bean, and to shop at some of our local merchants. The tourists reconvened later, loaded up the bus at the end of a full day of sightseeing and shopping in Marion County and headed back to Waynesboro to tell their friends and family about their magical mystery tour. If you would like to tour Marion County or Columbia, please contact the Marion County Development Partnership Tourism Committee at 601-736-6385.
