Taking Beattyville to Florida: Sharing Our Story in Inverness

in Outdoor Adventure, Main Street, Events, Economic Development, Things to Do

Florida Nature Coast Bike Festival

Last week, a small group from Beattyville headed to Florida with one goal - to tell our story. Tourism Director Dedra Brandenburg traveled to Inverness for the Florida Nature Coast Bike Fest, joining Beattyville Main Street Director Teresa Mays and partners from the Appalachian Motorcycle Group to share a piece of Eastern Kentucky with a whole new audience. The traveling group also included Gracie, age 11, Teresa’s granddaughter, as well as Amy Clemons, a Beattyville Main Street board member and vendor at the Locally Made Farmer’s Market. This provided a valuable opportunity to reach beyond our region and promote Beattyville, Lee County, and the Red River Gorge area.

This trip was not just about handing out brochures. It was about connection.

Throughout the event, conversations with riders, travelers, and vendors turned into opportunities to share what makes our region special. From the winding roads of the Red River Gorge to the rich traditions of Appalachian culture, people were genuinely curious and excited about what they discovered.

One of the biggest draws was the Red River Gorge Moonshine Trail loop. Riders were especially interested in scenic routes they could experience firsthand, and the idea of combining a ride with stops like the Backwoods Moonshine Museum, Kentucky Mountain Moonshine Distillery, and local restaurants and shops caught their attention quickly. Many were surprised to learn just how much there is to see and do in our part of Kentucky.

Beyond the roads, it was our story that resonated most.

Sharing the heritage of our Appalachian roots, the storytelling, the music, the traditions, and the sense of place, helped people connect with Beattyville on a deeper level. It gave them a reason not just to visit, but to experience something meaningful.

One of the most valuable outcomes of the trip was the number of direct connections made. We spoke with numerous vendors who expressed strong interest in attending the Hillbilly Bikefest and setting up during the Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival. These conversations are already opening the door for a more diverse and engaging vendor presence at this year’s events.

We also noticed a clear travel pattern among attendees. Many of the people we met were snowbirds who regularly travel along the I 75 corridor. That gave us a natural opportunity to position Beattyville and the surrounding region as a must stop destination along their route. Instead of being a place they pass by, we encouraged them to make it a place they plan for.

Another important takeaway came from conversations about how this audience travels. Many long distance riders trailer their motorcycles, which led to frequent questions about RV parks, campgrounds, and cabin rentals that can accommodate trucks and trailers. We were able to confidently answer those questions and guide visitors toward options that fit their needs, helping remove barriers that might otherwise keep them from choosing our area.

Our marketing materials also gave us a way to track engagement in real time. The standing banners we displayed included QR codes that directed visitors to our tourism website. Since the event, we have seen scans coming in from across multiple markets, including New York, Jacksonville, Daytona, Nashville, Toledo, and Indianapolis. These same QR codes are also featured in our print advertising, including Born to Ride Magazine and the Daytona Rally Guide, both of which have already been published and distributed, extending our reach well beyond the event itself.

Granny Moonshine featured on Live Video Promos

Another unique and memorable part of the trip was the role Teresa Mays played, not only as Beattyville Main Street Director, but also as Granny Moonshine, representing the Backwoods Moonshine Museum. She brought personality, storytelling, and authenticity to every interaction, helping visitors connect with our Appalachian culture in a way that felt real and engaging.

Teresa was featured in multiple live promotional videos alongside Jay Fryman, where they highlighted Beattyville, the Red River Gorge region, and the experiences visitors can expect when they make the trip. These live segments helped put a face and a story to our community, making a lasting impression on viewers.

She was joined by Crazy Chuck, and together they represented two of the moonshiners attending the event. Their presence added a strong cultural element that drew attention and created meaningful conversations with attendees. Both have also been featured on Season 8 of the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, which added another level of interest and recognition for visitors who were excited to meet them in person.

In addition to their time at the booth during the Bike Fest at the city park, Teresa and Crazy Chuck also participated in meet and greet opportunities at two downtown restaurants in Inverness. These appearances extended our reach beyond the event itself and allowed for more one on one engagement with potential visitors in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

Did your motorcycle get "hogged"?

One of the more memorable and lighthearted moments during the Florida Nature Coast Bike Fest was what the Appalachian Motorcycle Group calls “hogging” motorcycles in the parking area. Jay and Brian with AMG created more than 50 custom business card tags, each attached to a small hog squeaker toy.

They gave Gracie a mission. She was sent out to the bike show parking area, which had well over 100 motorcycles that afternoon, with the goal of “hogging” as many bikes as she could. Jay showed her the best places to securely attach the tags to each motorcycle, then turned her loose to get to work.

Each tag included a QR code that directed people to the Appalachian Motorcycle Group page, highlighting upcoming rides and events, including the Hillbilly Bikefest in Beattyville. It was a creative and engaging way to promote the event, and it certainly got people’s attention.

The Backwoods Brawler Rat Bike wins 1st place

Congratulations to Jay and the Appalachian Motorcycle Group!

The Backroads Brawler Rat Bike, also known as Rollin Krupt, took home 1st place in the Rat Class at the Rat’s Hole Bike Show during the Florida Nature Coast Bike Fest for the second time. That win says a lot about the creativity and grit that still define the old school biker community, and it is alive and well with AMG.

This one of a kind custom motorcycle carried a true moonshine theme, with Donnie Benton of the Backwoods Moonshine Museum adding custom copper trinket details that gave it an authentic Appalachian touch.

A special thank you goes to our host, Jay Fryman, who did an outstanding job promoting Beattyville and the region throughout the event. Through live video coverage, he highlighted our attractions, scenic riding routes, and upcoming events to a wide audience. His live videos alone reached over 23,500 views on the Florida Nature Coast Bike Fest page, with additional exposure gained through cross posting on the Appalachian Motorcycle Group page. That kind of visibility is invaluable and continues to amplify our message even after the event has ended.

Watch the live videos here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17RocFW6Wh/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16z67XDUeh/ https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Nmm49tFfv/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18b3K7B2L5/

The group goes on a few side adventures in Florida.

While the focus of the trip was promotion, the group also had the opportunity to experience a few of Florida’s natural attractions firsthand. One stop included a visit to Silver Springs State Park, where the group took a glass bottom boat ride along the clear waters of the spring. During the ride, a manatee made a memorable appearance, rolling over and waving from the bottom of the spring, giving everyone a once in a lifetime moment. The area is well known as a historic filming location for underwater scenes in classic James Bond and Tarzan films, and today stands as a protected natural resource. It was a powerful reminder of how preserving natural assets can create lasting tourism experiences.

Another highlight was a visit to Rainbow Springs headspring, located just outside of Inverness. We took time to enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters, experiencing firsthand the beauty that draws visitors to the area. It also provided a valuable perspective on how natural resources, when cared for and promoted, can become major tourism drivers.

We could not pass up the chance to see a Gulf Coast sunset. With the shoreline less than an hour away, we took an evening drive straight west to Fort Island Beach.

On the way home, the group stopped in Dalton, Georgia, where the trip took an unexpected turn. Late that night, the area was placed under a tornado warning. At 4:00 AM, everyone got out of bed and moved to the first floor to wait it out safely until the warning passed.

Conclusion to the trip!

In summary the tip was success! We also took the opportunity to promote upcoming events, including the Beattyville Appalachian Memories Festival and the Hillbilly Bikefest. The response was strong, with many riders expressing interest in planning trips around these events. That kind of early interest is exactly what helps events succeed.

By stepping outside our region and telling our story, we are planting seeds that can lead to more visitors, stronger local businesses, and continued growth for our community. And if the conversations in Inverness were any indication, there are a lot of people ready to come see what Kentucky, the Red River Gorge Region, and Beattyville have to offer.

We are looking forward to welcoming them.