16th Annual Delta Awards for Tourism Achievement finalists named
The 16th annual Delta Awards recognizing tourism achievement in Eastern Arkansas will be presented during festivities Friday (Feb. 26), at the Brinkley Convention Center, 1501 Weatherly Drive in Brinkley.
The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. silent auction, followed by the dinner and awards at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Arkansas Delta Byways, with support from local businesses in Brinkley and Clarendon.
Arkansas Delta Byways, located on the Arkansas State University campus, is a nonprofit organization recognized by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism as the official tourism promotion association for 15 counties in Eastern Arkansas. Counties include Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett and St. Francis.
The annual awards event is open to the public. Tickets are $25 per person or a table of eight for $175. For information on ticket availability, contact Gretchen Sacotnik, (870) 573-6751, or by email [email protected].
Finalists for the awards are:
Media Support Award
Richard Benson, The Morning Show, KXJK/KBFC Radio, St. Francis County
Deborah Horn, SEA Life, South Arkansas
Dr. Blake Wintory, Images of Chicot County, Chicot County
Hospitality Award
Beth Traylor Taylor, Monroe County
The Ridges at Village Creek, Cross County
Tomatoes at the Trotter, Drew County
Entrepreneur Award
Delta Q, St. Francis County
Cathy Campbell, Phillips County
Sonflour Bakery, Desha County
Tourism/Promotion Support Award
Arkansas Delta Flatlander, Crittenden County
Lights of the Delta, Mississippi County
Pumpkin Hollow, Clay County
Festival/Event of the Year
ASU Museum Black History Month, Craighead County
Bicentennial of the Louisiana Purchase Land Survey, Lee, Monroe & Phillips Counties
Tyronza Stars and Stripes Festival, Poinsett County
Boot Strap Award
Collins Theater at Paragould, Greene County
Helena Museum, Phillips County
Tour duh Sunken Lands, Poinsett & Mississippi Counties
Cultural Heritage Award
Blues Heritage Youth Art Competition, Phillips County
Grand Prairie Center Performance Series, Arkansas County
Writing Retreat for Military Veterans, Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum, Clay County