Media Center
The Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s public relations program is designed to assist writers and media who need quick access to information and travel-related resources. The press releases, facts about the area and images provided online are just the beginning. Quick response is given to specific needs of travel writers, reporters and editors. Images, story ideas, fact checks, interviews and tours are available upon request.
Writers, who have confirmed assignments or are planning media tours to Galena and Jo Daviess County, are invited to contact the Bureau to arrange visits. The Bureau offers a wide range of support services from supplying recommendations and contacts for attractions and activities to coordinating hour-by-hour itineraries of the Galena and Jo Daviess County experience.
Contact the CVB administrative office at 815.777.3557 for personalized attention.
Files in this section are in a PDF format. To download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software visit Adobe Acrobat’s Web site.
Film crews capture the spirit of Galena & Jo Daviess County
GALENA, Ill. – No red carpets, gleaming lights or formal attire was needed. Simply put, the backdrop provided by Galena and Jo Daviess County served as the perfect studio for three film crews who recently visited the area.
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20th Annual Cemetery Walk Remembers Lives of Past Galenians
GALENA, Ill. – Eleven local actors and actresses will bring historic Galenians to life for the education and entertainment of audience members on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9. Guided 75-minute tours will start every 20 minutes between the hours of 2:00 and 4:30 p.m. These theatrical walking tours will be held at Greenwood Cemetery (on the west side of Gear Street), and an indoor seated performance will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at Grace Episcopal Church (309 Hill St.).
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18th Annual Galena Triathlon & Duathlon seeks volunteers
GALENA, Ill. – The Galena Triathlon & Duathlon is seeking volunteers for its eighteenth annual event on May 18. “The event provides a way for members of local organizations and individuals from our communities to do something exciting together, in addition to earning money for a charitable organization,” said Melosa Belger, events coordinator for the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
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Galena/Jo Daviess County CVB accepts two awards
GALENA, Ill. – The Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the destination marketing organization for Jo Daviess County, Illinois, was recognized recently for their marketing efforts by Constant Contact, Inc. and as the Best Convention + Visitors Bureau by the readers of Illinois Meetings + Events magazine.
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New Changes for the 18th Annual Galena Triathlon & Duathlon
GALENA, Ill. – Preparations are being made for the 18th Annual Galena Triathlon & Duathlon on May 18 in Galena, Illinois. In response to feedback from athletes, this year’s Galena Triathlon & Duathlon will feature a new pre-race celebration, course modifications including a variety of challenging elevation changes and real-time result monitoring.
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Galena/Jo Daviess CVB unveils 2013 Visitors Guide
GALENA, Ill. – The pens are laid down. The editors have read each word. And the designers and CVB staff have cultivated an entirely new Visitors Guide for the destination to enjoy. The 2013 Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) Visitors Guide has arrived. The beauty of Galena and Jo Daviess County is on display for all to appreciate through the destination’s new 68-page Visitors Guide.
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Historical Society annual meeting to profile Elihu B. Washburne
GALENA, Ill. – Elihu B. Washburne, a nine-term congressman from Galena, Illinois who went from barefoot farm boy in western Maine to one of the most powerful men in the nation during the Civil War, will be profiled at the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society Annual Membership meeting on Sunday, April 7.
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Trail of Terror marketing campaign wins big
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The 2013 Illinois Governor’s Conference on Tourism, entitled “The Power of People and Travel,” bestowed the Best Cooperative Partnership award to four northwestern tourism organizations including the Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).
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Tourism/Business First Responders seminar set for April 4
GALENA, Ill. – A seminar on customer service, communication techniques, leadership skills and ‘How to Wow’ will take place on April 4 at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, 444 Eagle Ridge Dr., Galena.
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Galena Wine Lovers’ Weekend set for March 22-24, 2013
GALENA, Ill. – Tickets are available online now for Galena’s extremely popular Grand Tastings during Galena Wine Lovers’ Weekend. This year’s event is slated for March 22-24, with Grand Tastings being offered on Friday, March 22 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 23 from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Galena Convention Center, 900 Galena Square Dr., in Galena, Illinois.
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What’s a little murder among friends?
GALENA, Ill. ─ The Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of Galena (BBIG), tucked away in the scenic and hilly corner of northwest Illinois, will once again present their annual interactive Murder Mystery weekend! This two-day event takes place right in downtown Galena, with participants staying with the city’s finest innkeepers. Galena features a wealth of historic 19th-century dwellings, in a variety of styles, that are now cozy B&Bs and inns.
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Night of Luminaria is set to glow in downtown Galena
GALENA, Ill. – Watch Galena come alive with the glow of thousands of luminaries on this special winter night, Saturday, December 15. Take part in this Galena tradition by helping to set out luminary bags during the day or assist in lighting the candles before the spectacle begins. Later in the evening, relax and enjoy the magical winter wonderland scene as night falls. It is a must see event!
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Mistletoe Ball grand finale
GALENA, Ill. – This year’s annual Mistletoe Ball will be bittersweet, as it will be the last of a grand tradition begun 31 years ago. Sponsored by the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society, the Saturday, December 1 event will feature a dessert and dance at historic Turner Hall from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
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Ready your costumes for Galena’s 34th Annual Halloween Parade & Festival
GALENA, Ill. – Ghosts and goblins of all ages will converge on Galena, Illinois for the 34th annual Halloween Parade & Festival. The Galena Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the host of this one-day event in downtown Galena on Saturday, October 27, with festivities taking place from noon until 8:30 p.m.
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North Central U.S. produces 10 of the “prettiest painted places”
GALENA, Ill. – The search for the “Prettiest Painted Places in America” is narrowing, with 10 finalists from the North Central U.S., including Galena, Illinois, named by the Paint Quality Institute, an informational entity whose mission is to educate the public about quality paints and coatings.
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French-inspired Nouveau wine tradition becomes a 28-year tradition in Galena, Illinois
GALENA, Ill. – “Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!” Simply translated, “Wine lovers: get ready, get set, go!” The third Thursday of November marks the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau and the opportunity to be among the first to sample the new, shortly fermented wine, previewing the current year’s fall harvest.
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National community “curb appeal” competition
GALENA, Ill. – Galena, Illinois is one of hundreds of attractive towns and neighborhoods that will compete this summer in a national contest to find the “Prettiest Painted Places in America”.
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19th Annual Galena Girlfriends’ Getaway is Sept. 7-9
GALENA, Ill. ─ Call, text, tweet or Facebook your best girlfriends and get them together for a weekend in Galena you won’t ever forget! Two full days (or longer if you’d like) of laughing, reliving memories and reconnecting all are planned just for you. The Galena Area Chamber of Commerce once again plans a special weekend for “girlfriends” of all ages from Friday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Sept. 9.
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Galena Cellars Vineyard hosts 3rd Annual Fall Harvest & Art Festival
GALENA, Ill. – Celebrating the fruits of their labor, Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery and the Galena Cultural Arts Alliance are busy preparing for their upcoming Fall Harvest & Art Festival. The third annual two-day event will take place at Galena Cellars Vineyard, 4746 N. Ford Rd., Galena on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30, with activities spanning from noon until 6 p.m. both days.
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45th Annual Tour of Homes showcases historic Galena
GALENA, Ill. – From cozy miners’ cottages to grand Queen Annes, Galena’s incredible architecture will take center stage during the 45th Annual Tour of Historic Galena Homes. Autumn is always a popular time to visit scenic Galena, but add the chance to tour inside five private historic buildings and the lure becomes irresistible. Preservation, interior decorating, antiques and history are featured elements of the popular event hosted by the Galena – Jo Daviess County Historical Society. The guided tour runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine, both Saturday and Sunday, September 29 & 30, 2012.
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6th annual Galena Oktoberfest to be held September 22nd
GALENA, Ill. – September 22, 2012 is the start of Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, but it’s also a day of similar celebration in Galena, Ill. The 6th annual Galena Oktoberfest will entertain and delight your entire family and is a whole lot easier on the budget than a flight to Munich. The event takes place at Depot Park, 99 Bouthillier St., just east of the Galena River near the intersection of U.S. Highway 20 and Park Avenue; from noon to 10 p.m. Galena Oktoberfest is hosted by the Galena Lions Club and all of the proceeds help individuals with sight and sound needs, as well as supporting community projects.
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‘Liberty’ rings true with local bald eagle
GALENA, Ill. – More than 60 names were crafted, but only one came out on top. Not surprisingly though, two individuals submitted the same, patriotic name of, ‘Liberty.’ The Galena/Jo Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) held a contest, in conjunction with National Travel & Tourism Week celebrations in May, to name a larger-than-life bald eagle. The eagle, standing at approximately six feet tall, was on display at the Old Train Depot Visitor Information Center for visitors to interact and take pictures with.
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Galena to commemorate Ulysses S. Grant’s Birthday
GALENA, Ill. – The Galena and U.S. Grant Museum will celebrate the 190th birthday of General Ulysses S. Grant with a weekend-long commemoration, April 20-22, 2012. Speakers, re-enactors, free museum admission all weekend and a new exhibit will enlighten and entertain guests of all ages.
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Bus tourism & travel to Illinois creates economic growth, jobs & tax revenue, new online tool shows
GALENA, Ill. ─ Motor coach tourism and travel both to and within Illinois is a powerful economic engine that infuses tourism dollars statewide, creating economic growth, hospitality industry jobs, and new tax revenue, a new interactive online tool recently released by the American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) reveals.
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National Trust names Galena, Ill., one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - “There is no doubt that Galena is a truly distinctive destination,” said National Trust President Richard Moe. “It is a charming town with a rich heritage that stretches back many centuries – and, perhaps most important, it has a strong commitment to preservation that has kept much of that heritage alive.”
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Galena & Jo Daviess County Overview
Galena was a popular, bustling destination in the early 1800s. The discovery of lead sulfide put Galena on the map. Today’s travelers to northwestern Illinois find treasures in the area’s art galleries and studios, at local wineries, and while enjoying outdoor adventures.
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