Promoting Harlan County in an unconventional way, the Harlan Tourist and Convention Commission (HTCC) and Harlan Center Executive Director Brandon Pennington gathered together business people from across Harlan and filmed a “Harlan Shake” video for YouTube.
“Our ‘Harlan Shake’ video is mimicking the ‘Harlem Shake’ video, which is so popular on YouTube,” said Pennington. “Basically, it’s an unconventional, free way of advertising Harlan County. At the end of the video we’ll have a little advertisement, which has our Facebook link, website and Twitter page.”
Sponsored by the HTCC, Pennington said he and his staff began contacting business people and other residents they thought might be interested in participating in the video.
“We’ve had an overwhelming show of support for the video,” said Pennington. “It’s something new and unconventional. Everyone is excited about it.”
Local business woman Tara Day, and a participant in the video, said she is happy to see the merchants of Harlan coming together to promote the city.
“This is a way of showcasing our city and our county — showing people how funny and entertaining we are here in Harlan,” said Day. “Through the video we are expanding our boundaries and promoting Harlan County in a good way to the world via YouTube.”
The video lasts between 30 and 32 seconds and features part of the song “Harlem Shake” by electronic musician Baauer. The video begins with one person, masked, dancing to the song alone for 15 seconds, surrounded by other people not paying attention or unaware of the dancing individual. When the bass part of the song drops, the video cuts to the entire crowd doing a crazy convulsive dance for the next 15 seconds.
Additionally, in the second half of the video, people are wearing crazy outfits or costumes while wielding strange props.
Harlan Center employee Ashley Bledsoe said Harlan County people have a great sense of humor, but lately haven’t had the chance to show it because of a troubling economy.
“We often get quoted as having the beauty of the mountains, but we also have dance instructors, artists, musicians, kayaking, hunting, fishing, hiking, parks, wildlife, bowling, activities for kids and so much more,” said Bledsoe. “This video shows we are diverse and maybe it will cause people outside our county to say, hey, who are these people and why are they having so much fun — asking what do these people do. Harlan County has a wonderful cultural side to it — filled with multi-talented people.”
To view the video you may visit www.Facebook.com/harlantourismcc.
Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@civitasmedia.com
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