Sales taxes up for 3rd consecutive December
Sales tax collections for the City of Andalusia in December indicate that those who visited Candyland did more than take advantage of the free downtown event.
Sales tax collections were 3 percent higher for December 2016 (collected in January 2017) than in December 2015. The increase of $27,041 in collections in 2016 represents $600,911 in retail sales. Sales tax collections were up 2 percent for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 (October through December of 2016) over the same period last year.
Figures provided by Andalusia City Clerk John Thompson show the collections have increased each of the past three Decembers, in which Candyland activities and traffic have also increased. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said retail stimulation is just one of the goals of Candyland, which is produced in a partnership of the Chamber, city, and private businesses.
“The event has three main goals, tourism, retail stimulation and community involvement,” Duffy said. “We brought roughly 30,000 visitors to the downtown area of Andalusia in December of last year, many of whom came across county and state lines.
“For a small rural town with no beaches or other draws, this is a huge accomplishment,” she said.
While the retail growth is impressive, Duffy said another amazing thing happened.
“Our community took pride in the event and found a new reason to be proud of the place we all cherish and call home,” she said.
The event also generated positive publicity and exposure for the community.
“According to our social media channels – 200,743 people saw the Candyland event come through their newsfeed during the month of December,” she said. “Of those, 50,073 either commented, shared, liked or tagged the event.” Most of those people were from outside of Covington County, she said.
The event also received positive press locally, and across the state and region.
A giant, 100-foot wide octopus will greet those who attend Meredith’s Miracles’ 11th annual Cookies with Characters today, Sat., Feb. 25. The decor was designed to carryout the theme of this year’s show, “Belle’s Birthday Beach Bash,” featuring Frank Shaffer as Sebastian the crab and Alyssa Jones as Belle. Shown are members of the crew who worked tirelessly this week to get the Kiwanis Community Center ready for the event, including... Read more>
Andalusia Star News
Some 70 characters will perform at Saturday’s Cookies with Characters event. The event is held annually and sponsored by Meredith’s Miracles, a non-profit organization that assists families with non-medical expenses such as hotels, food, gas, etc.
There will be two shows on Saturday at the Kiwanis Center. The Silly Show will be held at noon. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and will close at 2:30 p.m. A Glow Show will begin at 5 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m., and will close at 7:30 p.m.
In addition, there will be autographs and photos with characters, souvenirs and jumpy houses. Admission is $5 per person, which includes cookies, show and autographs. Tickets are available at Harold’s or at the door. For more info, call 427-5321.
Andalusia Star News
The Covington Arts Council will present the Montana Repertory Theatre production of Barefoot in the Park on Mon., March 6.
Neil Simon wrote the romantic comedy, which opened on Broadway on Oct. 23, 1963, and ran for 1,530 performances. It was Simon’s longest-running hit, and the 10th longest-running non-musical play in Broadway history. Read More>
Andalusia Star News
Andalusia Star News
Mickey and Minnie Mouse with a guest at the last Cookies with Characters event.
Meredith’s Miracles annual Cookies with Characters event is set for Sat., Feb. 25 and they have announced this year’s cast.
The event will be held at Kiwanis Center. A silly show will be held at noon and a glow show will be at 5 p.m. Cost is $5 per person and includes cookies, show and autographs.
Tinkerbell: Hannah Bulger
Fawn: Cassidy Tilman
Rosetta: Baylee Wilson
Silvermist: Lindsey Thomas
Iridessa: Baylee Robertson Sleeping Beauty: Kayla Mitchell
Prince Phillip: Mathew Lanier
Jasmine: Grace Mixson
Aladdin: Jonathan Weed
Frog Princess: A’Myia Bradley
Belle: Alyssa Jones; Understudy Anabell Bryant
Beast: Coleman Thompson and John Andrew Stoneback
Cinderella: Merrill Ann Culverhouse
Prince Charming: Allen Butler
Snow White: Ashlan Kelley
Prince Eric: Will Black
Little Mermaid: Emmy Rabren
Merida: Clorissa Morgan
Pocahontas: Lexi Weeks
Sofia the First: Rexanne Butler
Elsa: Catherine Weed
Anna: Anabell Bryant
Rapunzel: Ella Kate Nichols
MoAna: Kaitlyn Goodson
Elena Of Avalar: Michaelyn Russell
Elmo: Jade Smith, Dawson Kennedy and Elizabeth Turner
Cookie Monster: Kaylin Fite and Michael Jordan
Daisy Duck: Alden Wells and Ingram Dugger
Donald Duck: Savannah Smith and Cameron Maurer
Pluto: Madison Robbins and Sissy Martin
Goofy: Bronwyn Smith and Jordon Lyons
Minnie Mouse: Callen Woodard and Megan Mullen
Mickey Mouse: Will Drive and Nicole Ireland
Photo Minnie Mouse: Skylar York and Maddi Lord
Photo Mickey Mouse: Cameron Woodard and Brittney Williamson
Photo Minnie Mouse: Brooke Mancil and Mary Morgan Pierce
Diego: Gracie Syler and Kayla Elizabeth Ward
Dora: Elizabeth Turner and Ashton Ziglar
Curious George: Memphis Lynn and Meagan Long
Mario: Marissa McDermott and Jake Johnson
Luigi: Amber Myers and Tori Carpenter
Nemo: Olivia Lane Wise and Fletcher Ament
Dory: Cheyenne Hartin and Peyton Harris
Papa Smurf: Mitchell Davidson and Christen Eccleston
Smurfette: Mary Faith Mitchell and Taylor Brown
Clumsy: Ashley Hughes and Lydia Poore
Alvin: Dalton Spears and Payton Childers
Theo: Beth Johnson
Simon: Matthew Beasley and Code Curry
Spiderman: Ethan Barton
Ironman: Joseph Snider
Wolverine: Blake Hostetter
Thor: Tyler Martin
Sully: Austin Kyser and Reuben Gilmore
Mike: Stormi McCurley and Ivy Griggs
Jake: Abigail Livingston and Cameron Sinkfield
Captain Hook: Sasha Johnson and Cole Creamer
Pooh: Jake Jackson and Aniya Florence
Minion: Katherine Morris and Landrie Kelley
Doc McStuffins: Jamilya Bradley and Tatyana Anderson
Donatello: Levi Thomas and Abigail Kelley
Leonardo: Dustin Beverly and Berny Schmitt
Raphael: Noah Gooden and Logan Odom
Michelangelo: Carolanne Schmitt and Caleb Bowlan
Olaf: Colby Lee and Reese Burkhardt
SpongeBob: Grayson Fleming and Thomas Duffy
Patrick: Sam Dalton
Paddington Bear: Brittney Rutherford
Chewbacca: Branyon Clarke and David Boggan
Obi-Wan Kenobi: Lane Prevett
Chase (Paw Patrol): Hayden Howell and Adam Kilpatrick
Marshall (Paw Patrol): Kalyn Howell and Dawson Jernigan
Sebastian: Frank Shaffer
Andalusia Star News