American Couples Portray Famous & Historic Americans

Columbus, MS……While Columbus, Mississippi is known as the birthplace of Memorial Day, American Bass Anglers’ American Couples competitors will portray both famous and historic Americans at their Welcome Dinner here on Thursday night, Aug. 6th.

In 1866, Columbus became the first American city to honor troops in what would later become Memorial Day. During that year, many women in Columbus walked to Friendship Cemetery on the outskirts of the city and laid flowers on the graves of sodiers. What made this occasion so momentous is that the women placed flowers on both Union and Confederate graves. The next day, the New York Tribune printed a story about the unprejudiced acts of these women, and it eventually led to a widespread campaign to memorialize all fallen soldiers. In 1873, Memorial Day was recognized as an official holiday when New York State designated it as a legal holiday, and other states soon followed.

“It only seems appropriate that our American Couples competitors make note of and honor famous Americans while here in Columbus, Mississippi, where the act of honoring men and women of all backgrounds was heard all across America”, said Debra Talley, National Marketing Director of American Bass Anglers. “The competitors have been encouraged to dress up like their favorite American figure during their Welcome Dinner, where couples get the chance to visit with and rekindle old friendships with competitors from other states. This fishing trail was started as a means for couples to have the opportunity to share their love of the outdoors with their spouse, significant other or even mother/son, father/daughter. We try to plan events that not only encompasses tournament fishing, but the opportunity to have a little fun along with it”, continued Talley.

Columbus is also very proud of its’ history and the part it played during the Civil War. The city withstood repeated attacks during the Civil War when Union forces tried to enter to disable munitions works. Ultimately, Columbus and its 600-plus historic homes were spared because this was a hospital city where the wounded from both sides were tended. And because Columbus was saved, the window to the past remains largely open and remarkably pristine.

Founded in 1821, Columbus has three National Historic districts with 676 homes. Without question, one of the great attractions of Columbus is its antebellum (pre-Civil War) homes – a string of exquisite architectural treasures that open their doors each spring to hundreds of people from around the world. “We literally host people from around the world - nineteen countries - so it’s very familiar and very popular with visitors,” says Nancy Carpenter, director of the Columbus Historic Foundation. “All of the homes are pre-Civil War and range from cottages to mansions. We also have many historic churches, including First Methodist ... and St. Paul’s Episcopal, where the grandfather of Tennessee Williams officiated. (Williams was born and spent his early childhood in Columbus.)

But for the competitors, they plan to make their own history when the serious part starts on Friday morning and they take to the Tombigbee Waterway in hopes of becoming the next American Couples Champions. “Besides the wonderful gifts to be won at the Welcome Dinner and the products given by our gracious sponsors, and even besides the money available to win, the one lucky couple that comes out on top will win their dream trip of a lifetime”, said Talley, “And from our past 2 couples champions, the trip was just that--- a trip they would probably never have planned without the help from American Bass Anglers and them winning the National Championship”, concluded Talley.

Playing host for the American Couples Championship is the Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau. Sponsors of the American Couples Series are Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil, BioEdge Fishing Products, Ocean Waves Sunglasses, All Pro Rods, Vanndalizer Custom Baits, ProBass Networks, Rejuvenade, Smart Shield, and Frazier Marine Group.

The American Couples Series is held in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Massachusettes, South Carolina and Kentucky. In 2010 the series will also be offered in North Caolina, Louisiana, and Colorado.

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers offers over 1,200 tournaments per year in 41 states that are designed for the weekend angler. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each an upward path for angler progression. For more information on American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, the American Couples Series, Military Bass Anglers, or the American Bass Anglers BBQ sponsored by Early Times Kentucky Whisky, visit www.americanbassanglers.com