— Guilderland Chamber of Commerce Map
Guilderland’s four seasons map showcases local attractions to attract visitors.
GUILDERLAND — A sunny spring day on Wednesday marked the launch of the Four Seasons of Guilderland Passport Program.
Throughout the summer, fall and winter, the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce encourages residents and visitors to visit venues within the town as well as New Scotland and the Helderberg Hilltown.
Chamber of Commerce Director Sandra Dollard applied to Albany County for funding under the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
“We’re combining commerce and tourism,” Dollard told the Enterprise when the $50,000 grant was announced last October.
“We’re always planning events … just to showcase all the beauty we have to offer,” she said, referring to the wineries, breweries, golf courses and nearby rail trails, and said there might even be a celebration with Christmas lights and brewery tours.
“We’ve always been known for Western Avenue, but we’re so much more than that,” Dollard said.
The passports will be distributed at Stuyvesant Plaza on May 22, and businesses are invited to advertise by April 12 on the quirky, colorful map detailing local attractions.
Each destination will have a passport stamping station to mark tourists’ visit and also offer them the chance to win prizes in a raffle at an event next spring.
The chamber will host a bikes, burgers and drinks event on July 18 to complement Guilderland Restaurant Week, which runs July 15-21. It also will host brewery and winery tours in the fall and a soup, chowder and chili cook-off called “The Heat is On” in the winter.
Passports are available at the Chamber of Commerce offices at 300 Great Oaks Boulevard, Suite 300.
“This Passport Map and Guilderland’s Four Seasons initiative will enable Guilderland to leverage its diverse offerings to create an immersive and enriching experience for visitors,” Dollard said in a statement.
“By showcasing wineries, breweries, farms, restaurants, unique shops and small businesses as key tourist destinations through the passport, towns and visitors can encourage tourists to explore the area’s natural beauty, engage with local producers and support tourism in town,” she said.
Melissa Hale Spencer
