The Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation (VZACD) hosted a State Tourism Assessment team May 19-20 for the communities of Edom, Van, and Ben Wheeler, Texas. Attending was Spencer Zamora with the Travel Texas department of the Office of the Governor; Lois Rodriguez, Texas Department of Transportation/Texas Highways Magazine; Ernest Luna, Texas Commission on the Arts; and Darrell Dean, Texas Department of Agriculture.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
The host hotel was Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Van. A Farm to Table Kick Off Lunch Meeting was held in the Fairfield conference room with VZACD committee members. Red Moon Farm, Terra Sana Farm, and Locally Forged Farmers Market pulled their resources to serve a meal prepared with local ingredients that included farm fresh quiche Florentine, seasonal salad with lemon honey dressing, blueberry muffins and strawberry sorbet along with strawberry mint tea. Others contributing to the delicious meal were Haute Goat Creamery, 1514 Farms, Clower Honey Farm, Blueberry Hill Farms, Double Barrel Desserts, and Highway 19 Produce.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
After lunch, the group boarded a shuttle bus and toured Van, the Neches River Corridor including Roseland Plantation and Chief Bowles & the Battle of the Neches site, and the 279 Artisans Trail. Then the group took a walking tour of downtown Ben Wheeler and enjoyed dinner at The Forge Bar & Grill.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
The next morning the tour teams joined city, county, and state representatives for breakfast at The Farmhouse Restaurant in Van. Attending were Carmen Rockett, District Director for District 2 Texas House Representative Bryan Slaton; Chris Morris, District Director for Senator Bob Hall; Don Kirkpatrick, Van Zandt County Judge; Andy Reese, Incoming Van Zandt County Judge; Tim West, Van Zandt County Precinct 4 Commissioner; Barbara Crow, Edom Mayor; and Tammy Weidman, Van Economic Development Corporation Director. Moderated by former Texas tourism leader David Teel who now lives in Ben Wheeler, the group discussed the benefits of tourism for the district.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
The Farmhouse owner, Janine Ellison, told the history of the unique facility — one side holds the reconstruction of an actual old family barn while the other side represents a farmhouse. She and her staff served delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Turnovers, Cinnamon Apple Strudel, Vanilla Custard Pastry, Farmhouse Signature Coffee Cake; Bacon, Leek, and Gruyere Quiche; Mini Buttermilk Biscuits with Sausage Gravy, and Fresh Fruit.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
The state assessment team headed to Edom for a walking tour after breakfast, then got a quick look at Blueberry Hill Farms and Blue Moon Gardens before landing at Green Goat Vineyards & Winery for lunch. Sponsored by James and Mary Wilhite, the meal was prepared by Chef Michael Smith of Edom Log Cabin set to open soon. Chef Michael served cucumber mousse with basil shrimp canapé, spanakopita puff pastry, East Texas crawfish and catfish ceviche, caffe mocha lamb lolli, and a cinnamon bread pudding bite.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
After lunch the group went back to the Fairfield for a closing session. Several area investors talked about why they chose the district for their businesses and ideas for future endeavors. The state assessment team gave the room of about 30 people a quick account of what they thought of the area — all four of them said they enjoyed it so much they are coming back to spend more time on their own. They will provide a formal written state assessment report in about 45 days.
Photo copyright Craig D. Blackmon, FAIA
To see a guide to the area and many of the locations on the tour, click HERE.
