Politics & Government
HdG Wins State Tourism Award for War of 1812 Event
Havre de Grace was honored at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit.
The Maryland Tourism Council named the War of 1812 bicentennial festival in Havre de Grace the "best large event" of the year during its recent annual summit.
Called "Attack on Havre de Grace," the three-day affair brought tall ships, reenactments, a Redcoat Run and other activities to the city May 3 to May 5.
Approximately 26,000 people attended the event, with 69 percent reportedly from outside Havre de Grace.
"To see our history come alive and our city streets filled with visitors truly shows the value of heritage tourism," Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty said regarding the city's recognition.
The total economic impact of visitor spending during the "Attack on Havre de Grace" was estimated to be $1,351,670, according to a study released by an analytics firm and Star-Spangled 200, Maryland's bicentennial commission.
The Chesapeake Campaign—a series of War of 1812 bicentennial events—won the state's "cooperative marketing partnership" award at the tourism summit. The Maryland Tourism Council recognized collaborators Star-Spangled 200, Inc., Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Maryland Office of Tourism, Havre de Grace Office of Tourism, Talbot County Office of Tourism and the City of St. Michaels.
Another 1812 event, the "Battle of St. Michaels" in Talbot County, won the cultural heritage tourism award.
"The War of 1812 in Maryland is our most important national heritage story, when diverse Marylanders from every walk of life banded together to defend our freedoms," Gov. Martin O'Malley said in a prepared statement. "Maryland's Chesapeake Campaign celebrates a national story of triumph while creating tremendous economic benefit for Maryland towns and businesses."
In 2013, there were 10 War of 1812 bicentennial events, according to Star-Spangled 200, which reported another six will be on tap in 2014.
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