Warren County is set to honor McMinnville native and country music legend Dottie West Monday.
A Tennessee Music Pathways marker dedication will be held on the steps of McMinnville’s Chamber of Commerce. Tourism Development Board Chair Sarah Cantrell said that marker will allow the legend of West to live on in McMinnville.
“For us to have a marker in Warren County that represents her and everything that she contributed to not only her hometown but the work of country music is very special to us,” Cantrell said.
Cantrell said that the dedication Monday commemorates what would have been Dottie West’s 89th birthday.
Cantrell said that in addition to honoring West’s memory, it also gives an added bonus for McMinnville’s tourism prospects. She said that being a part of the Tennessee Music Pathways will help McMinnville and Warren County keep up with Tennessee’s ever-growing tourism efforts.
“It’s a very integrated approach to tourism with us on a local level into what the state is doing,” Cantrell. “That state of Tennesse has a very effective and efficient tourism department. They are ahead of the game on a national level as far as programs and ways to bring visitors into our state. So for us to be on the same pathway as them, we’re really honored, and excited, and grateful to be a tourism partner with them and to bring more folks into Warren County and McMinnville and see what all we have to offer.”
The commemoration begins at 3:30 p.m. Cantrell said that following the dedication ceremony, they plan on traveling to West’s gravesite with a wreath of flowers to rededicate.