EFFINGHAM —
Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau has kicked off a new program asking travelers to save a seat for another passenger - a pig.
"Have Pig, Will Travel" encourages Effingham residents and visitors to get the word out about the city by taking a pig souvenir with them when they travel.
Travelers are encouraged to take a photo of themselves with the pig at their destination, and then upload the photos to the "Visit Effingham" Facebook page.
"We're hoping to get a good turnout on that," said city Tourism Director Jodi Jackson. "It will highlight some of our attractions in town and get the name Effingham out there to our visitors."
Every three months, the bureau will hold a drawing with the names of those who posted the pig pictures. The winner of the drawing will receive a free gift basket featuring local businesses. Drawings will occur in April, July, October and January.
But going the distance is worth something too.
"The person that goes the farthest gets a deluxe gift basket," Jackson said.
In addition to Have Pig, Will Travel, the bureau is putting together a community calendar for 2014 and needs submissions from the public to complete it.
"We're asking people to take unique pictures of places in Effingham," Jackson said.
Residents are encouraged to take photos of seasonal scenes that could be featured in the calendar. The chosen photographers will get credit in the calendar and will also receive a gift basket of local goods.
"Hopefully, we can get the public to participate. It's a great thing to highlight the City of Effingham itself," Jackson said.
For more information on either program, contact the Effingham Convention and Visitors Bureau at 217-342-5305.
Nicole Dominique can be reached at 217-347-7151, ext. 138, or at nicole.dominique@effinghamdailynews.com.
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New Effingham program encourages travel with a 'pig'
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