WJBF-TV News Channel 6 has begun to promote its March 28 "Your Hometown Tour" visit here with on-the-air promotional announcements starting this weekend.

The visit is being mentioned briefly on Channel 6 now, and full promos will begin to air Sunday, Robert Pippen told The News- Reporter, a co-sponsor of the visit.

The promos will have news anchor Brad Means thanking viewers in Washington for inviting Channel 6 to their city, and asking viewers to join them Friday, March 28, to "Discover Washington, Georgia."

Next Friday, the news team from the Augusta ABC affiliate will roll into Washington about noon on a big tour bus, Tourism Director Ashley Barnett said, visiting Washington- Wilkes Elementary School, the Pliant Corporation, a historic home, and other sites, in preparation for broadcasting its 90-minute newscasts from 5 to 6:30 p.m. live from The Square.

WJBF-TV's Jennie Montgomery said the news content that day would focus on an interesting selection of Washington people and stories. "We've suggested a bunch of interesting stories to Jennie," Barnett said. "They're finalizing their list of stories now."

The citizens of Washington are expected to come out and be a part of the coverage, they said. "We want a big crowd on The Square," said production manager Scott Elledge. "The Square and the Fitzpatrick Hotel capture the essence of Washington, and it's the perfect setting. With a big crowd, we'll make you look as good as we can."

"I encourage the whole community to come out and be in the crowd during the newscast on Friday," Barnett said. "Just like you see the crowds on the morning news shows. Everybody come out and shop, eat, visit, and have a good time Friday afternoon."

Churches, civic clubs, school groups, and others are invited to join the crowd on The Square that day and use the opportunity for fundraisers, Elledge said.

Local businesses are taking the opportunity to advertise during the newscasts, WJBF's Pete Michenfelder said, with special packages and promotions. The live newscasts come just before the annual Spring Tour of Homes and the visit to Washington of the Tour de Georgia later in April, and advertisers are expecting to reach potential customers from all over the Augusta/CSRA area and draw them to Washington throughout the spring and summer.