Big night for Beattyville Lee County Tourism

Teresa Coomer Mays and Dedra Brandenburg were honored at the Appalachian Motorcycle Group’s Christmas Party in Williamsburg for being the best live show guests of 2025 for Backroads of Appalachia that earned the highest views of the year. The episode featured an update report of events by the Tourism Director Dedra Brandenburg followed by Teresa Mays giving a fall leaf report. Towards the end of the live, Donnie Benton stole the show by sneaking into the frame and riding the Purple Cow on the Beattyville Town Square—turning it into one of the most shared, viewed, and talked-about videos of the year.

Also recognized were former cast members of Discovery Channels moonshiners show Donnie Benton of the Backwoods Moonshine Museum, and Bruiser Martin, of Tigershine Copper, who continues to develop their stops along the Moonshine Trail.

Even bigger news was announced:
• Backroads of Appalachia and the Appalachian Motorcycle Club are headed to Florida in March, with Tourism, Main Street and the moonshiners joining them, to promote Eastern Kentucky’s scenic motorcycle roads at the Florida Nature Coast Bikefest.
• And in 2026, one of their major motorcycle rallies is coming to Beattyville/Lee County, bringing 1,000+ riders and custom bikes from across the country.

This is what grassroots tourism looks like! Real people, real stories, and taking Eastern Kentucky on the road to bring visitors back home.

.The Moonshine TrailKentucky TourismBackroads of Appalachia#motorcyclerally #backroads #moonshinetrail