Summer Backyard Bucket List

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

In 2021, Leon County Government launched a new, community-focused program called the “Summer Backyard Bucket List.” This free, socially driven campaign runs from June through August each year with the goal of encouraging residents to explore Leon County while supporting local businesses. Each month features a new bucket list of businesses to explore, from attractions and restaurants to breweries, shops, and museums. Participants who visit the featured businesses are encouraged to post and share a photograph on Instagram using the hashtag #TallyBucketListSweepstakes, and those who do are entered for a chance to win gift cards from participating partner locations. With more than 25% of Leon County’s tourists visiting friends and family, the program encourages residents to have fun while exploring their backyard this summer and become local “ambassadors” for our community. The program has been extremely successful; the most recent (2022) campaign featured approximately 90 local business partners and generated nearly 900,000 social media impressions as well as substantial earned media coverage.