Virginia Is For Lovers, What is Ramona For?

Decades ago, a bunch of overweight white guys, whose only real love was pork rinds and moonshine, came up with a simple three-word phrase which drew hundreds, thousands and perhaps even millions of visitors to the state of Virginia:  "Virginia is for Lovers."

This phrase was not based on any reality but the words themselves, emblazoned on bumper stickers, cups, decals and all forms of tourism paraphernalia. It drew hundreds, thousands and I daresay millions of visitors to the state like lemmings to the cliffs. As a child, I remember buying a "Virginia Is For Lovers" mug while visiting the state.

Of course, this is hyperbole with a point. I truly do love the state of Virginia and don't really know if the slogan creators were fat white guys, and I don't know their eating and drinking habits. But the fact remains that an illusion was created, a marketing campaign built around it and the results were nationwide attraction to lovers everywhere.

If Ramona is to be a tourist destination, we need a similar campaign put together by a non-parochial Ramona Tourism Bureau whose sole purpose is to promote Ramona — all of Ramona and its many jewels — to the county of San Diego, the state of California and beyond.

If we as a community are to exploit our numerous unique advantages — wineries, antique shops, boutiques, equestrian and other outdoor activities, Mainstage Theater, golf, grasslands, the numerous musical and athletic events and country atmosphere — we need to create a unified marketing campaign to "sell Ramona." This unified tourism command must cross all organizational and structural parochial lines and focus solely on selling Ramona as a whole cloth sewn from all its many fine threads.

Many organizations conduct very successful and unique activities throughout the year. The Chamber of Commerce puts on several such events. The Rotary and Kiwanis have the Music Fest and other activities. We have the Bluegrass Festival, the Rodeo, the Country Fair, art shows, The Ramona Town Hall Band, the Air Show and school events. Charlie Teichert and the Economic Development Committee are pursuing a "Taste of the Town" concept. Hal Gansert is promoting a multi-level series of events throughout the summer leading up to the Country Fair. A group is attempting to paint the town with murals. And the list goes on and on. These one-time events are splattered on the canvas of year-round attractions such as the wineries, antique stores, restaurants and the wide open country.

In a nutshell, we need to tell people about Ramona and why they should come here to visit and spend their money! Such an influx of visitors will help support our economy and our town. No longer should we say "Ramona is the best kept secret in the county." We should be singing our praises loud and far and inviting the masses to visit and leave them with a healthy taste of  "I want to come back." And we need to work together beyond our organizational borders to sell Ramona, the Heart of San Diego County.