The Washington Tourism Development Authority has awarded a marketing grant to the Aurora-Richland Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming Aurora Fossil Festival.

The grant is to be used for the promotion and marketing of the 18th-annual Fossil Festival to be held May 27-28.

WTDA has an ongoing grant program to assist Beaufort County event planners, attractions and tournament coordinators in the promotion of venues or events that will have a positive effect on the local economy.

“The idea of the grant program is to attract more people from outside the immediate area into our local communities,” said Lynn Lewis, Washington’s tourism development director. “Events like the Aurora Fossil Festival attract people from many areas. The WTDA wants to support these and other ongoing efforts to promote the area.”

Additional recipients of WTDA grants include the Beaufort County Arts Council, Grand Ole Gospel, Washington Cal Ripken Baseball, Washington Girls’ Softball League and the Finish Strong Series.

To learn more about the tourism marketing grant program, call the WTDA office at 252-948-9415.