DATE:    12/10/97
CONTACT: Charles Williams, (864) 646-2718
WRITER:  Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Garrison Arena Listed as a Top Attraction in the Piedmont

     PENDLETON -- Clemson University's  T. Ed Garrison Livestock
Arena is listed as one of the top summer 1997 attractions in the
Piedmont by a statewide publication.
     The list appeared in the summer issue of South Carolina
Travel Barometer, a quarterly publication of the S.C. Department
of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism.
     "Of the attractions surveyed, the Garrison Arena was the
fifth most visited in the region," said PRT spokesman Lou
Fontana. He said his department used data based on the estimated
attendance the attractions report.
     The other most visited attractions are Kings Mountain
National Military Park, the Greenville Zoo, Cowpens National
Battlefield, the Spartanburg Arts Center, and Duke Power's World
of Energy.
     "Making this list shows what a first-class facility like the
T. Ed Garrison Arena can do for a region,"  Fontana said. "It
draws people from South Carolina and other states as well."
     "Clemson University is very pleased to see that the dreams
formed several years ago in the construction of the Garrison
Arena have become a reality, " said John Kelly, Clemson's vice
president for public service and agriculture. "The diverse 
attractions offered through the arena are an important stimulus
to our local economy and to our quality of life in the Upstate."
     "It's important that we've made this list," said Arena
Director Charles Williams. "We are a valuable part of the tourism
industry in the state, and our contribution is only going to
grow. We also continue to make a positive impact on the livestock
industry in the state of South Carolina."
     Garrison Arena is the only public facility in South Carolina
specifically devoted to serving the needs of horse and cattle
events. Since opening in April 1991, the arena has hosted more
than 300 events, which attracted a total of more than 300,000
visitors. In 1996 alone, 100,000 guests participated in arena
events. The arena has generated an estimated economic impact of
more than $8 million in South Carolina.
                         END