BY EMILY GRAHAM
A new initiative, #570Day, invites people living in the 570 area code to share their local pride via social media on Friday.
Gina Gargano, director of Explore Schuylkill, said businesses, organizations and individuals can post on social media anything that makes them proud to live in this region, using the hashtag #570Day.
“It’s about celebrating the people and the places that make our area, the 570 region, a great place to live and a great place to visit,” Gargano said.
The #570Day initiative was spearheaded this year by the Wilkes-Barre Rotary Club, the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visit Luzerne County to promote businesses, attractions and other aspects of the Northeastern Pennsylvania area code.
Gargano said Explore Schuylkill was invited to take part and share the initiative with its local partners in celebrating Schuylkill County.
“We have some special promotions and highlights that we’re going to do that day,” Gargano said. “We’re always marketing Schuylkill County to bring visitors and revenue into Schuylkill County to feed the tourism industry and the economy.”
Gargano said they have 16 promotions planned for Friday, which will be posted on Explore Schuylkill’s social media pages, all highlighting different aspects of the county.
“We have one focused on nature, because Schuylkill County is 60% forested,” Gargano said. “From a tourism perspective, we’re a natural outdoor recreation destination.”
Different outdoor destinations in the county, as well as off-roading activities, will be posted. Other promotions will revolve around the arts, including the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, the Walk In Arts Center in Schuylkill Haven and the Majestic Theater in Pottsville.
Gargano said they will also feature the country’s various food and beverage options.
“Everybody loves to eat, and that’s one thing we do really well here,” Gargano said, noting restaurants like The Brickhouse, The Wheel and the Tamaqua Station Restaurant, as well as Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop.
Gargano said the initiative also promotes highlighting people in the community.
“I love the aspect that it includes people,” Gargano said. “Personally, I think that’s a big part of what makes Schuylkill County wonderful, because of its people.”
Along with Explore Schuylkill’s plans, Gargano said she hopes that members of the community will take the opportunity to post something they love about living here, whether it be Friday night football games or a teacher who was special to them.
“We’re hoping that people in our community will take an opportunity to sit back and think, ‘Why do I live here? What do I love about it?’” Gargano said. “Take that five minutes and shout it out.”
