Ligonier Valley tourism plans focus of breakfast

The public and the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce will get a preview of what’s in store at area attractions this summer during the chamber’s annual tourism breakfast on Wednesday.

The event begins at 7:45 a.m. at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association’s bank barn, off Route 30 on the western outskirts of Ligonier. A $5 charge can be paid at the door, but chamber Executive Director Scott Haines asks those planning to attend to RSVP by Friday to scott@ligonierchamber.org or 724-238-4200.

Representatives from a dozen Ligonier Valley attractions and tourism-related organizations will provide updates on new developments and planned events at their sites.

Haines noted this will be first summer when visitors can enjoy activities in the surroundings of Ligonier Borough’s recently renovated Diamond Park. That $3.5 million project, dedicated in early October, included new decorative lampposts, expanded outdoor seating and an update of the park’s landmark bandstand — with new flooring, new stone veneer and a new copper roof.

“I cannot wait to see visitors and residents enjoying our new and beautiful Diamond Park this summer, an attraction all by itself,” Haines said. “I anticipate that the Diamond is going to be a hub of activity this summer.”

In addition to the chamber, organizations and businesses slated to make presentations at the breakfast include Ligonier Country Market, Ligonier Art Walk, Compass Inn Museum, Fort Ligonier, Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Lincoln Highway Experience, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Ligonier Camp and Conference Center, Idlewild and SoakZone, Living Treasures Wild Animal Park and Fort Ligonier Days, Inc.