Though the return of Bassmasters to Wood County is still several months away, plans for the big event are coming together.

The Wood County Economic Development Commission (WCEDC) outlined several aspects of the plans at its Oct. 25 meeting.

Publicity surrounding the Feb. 29-March 3 event will get a boost when the festival entertainment is announced Dec. 1.

For the first time, the marketing effort is also looking to secure billboards announcing the tournament and related festival at Lake Fork.

Marketing efforts are also being expanded to reach potential participants outside the Wood County area for the elite series fishing tournament.

A possible new addition will be expanding on the recent success of the Texas Street Art Festival put on by Wood County Walls to include a mural space at the festival headquarters on Lake Fork.

Murals visible from the air are also being considered at the Wood County airport atop hangars and other buildings to greet visitors arriving by air, perhaps to be expanded to other area airports.

Executive Director Christine Thomas announced that Mike Arcand will serve as the new social media manager, and already in the first month the WCEDC is seeing more original posts and engagements.

The board agreed to support efforts to partner with the University of Texas at Tyler for an arts coalition.

Board members elected Tom Keenan to serve another term as chairman, Craig Lindholm to serve another term as vice chairman and named Adam Ehlert as secretary.

New marketing materials were introduced including chairs, sunglasses, frisbees and keychains.

The board will not meet in November and will have a combined meeting in early December.