By Jennifer Shrader

Jennifer.Shrader@lagrangenews.com

 

Fishing and baseball tournaments will fill LaGrange this year, tourism officials said Monday.

The LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Development Authority released their own “spring sports” schedule of events, or at least everything that was on the calendar as of Friday. They’re expected to fill the venues as well as local hotels.

“The average softball/baseball tournament attracts about 2,500 visitors each weekend,” said Dave Marler, Tourism director. “The fishing tournaments can range from 150 to 300 participants and guests depending on the event and weather.”

 

New this year, in collaboration with LaGrange College, is the 2017 USA South Athletic Conference Spring Sports Festival. This event will bring nearly 900 student athletes and their families, as well as coaches and college administrators, to LaGrange during the week of April 11. Teams will be in and out based on their schedule and success in the tournament that includes all six spring sports in the conference.

LaGrange College and Point University in West Point will host events.

Marler said according to numbers just released from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, in 2015 Troup County’s tourism industry supported 1,160 jobs, generated $156 million in direct tourist spending, created $6 million in state tax revenues and generated $ 4.5 million in local tax revenues.

Tournaments scheduled include:

Feb. 11-12: Georgia High School State Fishing Tournament

April 12-15: USA South Sports Festival

April 22: Rod Benders

June 16-18: Dixie District Tournament

June 23-25: Freedom Sports

Sept. 16: Special Olympics

Nov. 9-11: Fishers of Men

For a full schedule of events, contact the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce.