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Covington, Georgia is becoming an international Vampire Diaries tourist attraction as the home of the fictional Mystic Falls, Va., setting for the television series “The Vampire Diaries.”
Hunter Hall, president of the Covington-Newton Chamber of Commerce, said the attraction is quickly becoming the town’s lifeblood.
“And tourists come from all over the world — 44 different states and 33 different countries last year,” he said. “So it’s big.”
Lucy and Charolotte Boulton visited from England.
“It’s like surreal,” Boulton said. “It feels like a dream to actually see it all put into place – and where they are and where they stand. When you’re a big fan it’s really cool.”
Channel 2 Action News found Covington, Georgia alive with fans from the living dead. Businesses all over town have a stake in the industry as many Vampire Diaries tourists are coughing up money at these tourist attractions in Georgia.
Jessica Lowery, owner of Mystic Falls Tours, guides dozens of Vampire Diaries tourists every day.
“It’s important,” she said. “My whole family works for my business now.”
Bradley’s Barbeque feeds filmmakers and tourists. Church Street Antiques sells everything vampire.
“You’re in the world of the Vampire Diaries when you’re here,” said Hall County resident Camille Barrett.
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