The Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel has named three Pike County events as “Top 10 Events” of 2014 in its annual “Sweet Home Alabama Vacation Guide and Calendar.

The Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival, the African-American Leadership Conference and “Come Home, It’s Suppertime” folklife play were selected by the Tourism Department as “Top Ten Events” of the month.

The Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival will be January 24 at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge and January 25 at the Trojan Center Theater on the campus of Troy University.

The 2014 African-American Leadership Conference is set for February 7 and 8 at Troy University.

“Come Home, It’s Suppertime,” at the We Piddle Around in Brundidge is performed annually the first two weeks of April.

Brundidge Mayor Jimmy Ramage said having two Brundidge events spotlighted in the state tourism publication is good publicity for, not only the events, but for the community.

“For these events to be so recognized by the Department of Tourism is positive publicity for Brundidge,” Ramage said. “Hopefully, the recognition will be an incentive for more people attend the events at the We Piddle Around Theater and to visit our town.”

Ramage said the folklife theater promotes and preserves the heritage of small town, rural America.

“We believe it’s important for our stories to be told and we appreciate that others think it’s important, too.”

Shelia Jackson, Troy public relations and tourism director, said that, for more than a decade, Troy University’s Leadership Conference Celebrating African-American History Month, has featured distinguished leaders as keynote speakers.

“The Conference brings people together and strengthens relationships and empowers diverse leaders with tools to better serve their organizations and communities,” Jackson said. “The Conference sheds a positive light on our community as it provides information that enhances the quality of leadership and civic participation of the participants.”

Kathy Sauer, Pike County Chamber of Commerce president, said that the “Sweet Home Alabama Vacation Guide and Calendar” is circulated nationwide and in several foreign countries.

“The selection as ‘Top 10 Events’ is prestigious recognition and brings additional positive recognition to our county,” Sauer said. “The publication lists events all across the state and many events in Pike County are listed on the calendar, including TroyFest and Pioneer Days. We are very appreciative of the Tourism Department’s efforts to publicize these events.”

Sauer said “Sweet Home Alabama” includes information about state parks, walking and hiking trails, museums, art galleries, places to shop, restaurants, hotels and public gathering places.

“It’s a great resource guide for day trips or family vacations,” she said. “The publication is available at 1-800-ALABAMA. The Chamber office should have the vacation guides available by February and they will be free of charge.