Arkansas Delta Byways to host awards banquet in West Memphis

The 22nd Annual Arkansas Delta Byways awards banquet will be held Friday (Feb. 16), in West Memphis. Each year, this event is held to recognize those who have outstanding tourism achievements across the 15-county region. The banquet will be held at the Eugene Woods Civic Center.

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 2023 Delta Award Nominees are as follows:

Hospitality Award
Jonesboro Shooting Sports Complex
Kamp Karefree
Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce and Stuttgart Rotary Club

Entrepreneur Award
Blue Awning Art Gallery
Delta Dirt Distillery
One Stop Candy Shop

Tourism Support/Promotional Award
Courier Index
Lakewoods Trails
Lawrence Group

Festival/Event of the Year
Blues Off Broadway
Helena A&P Big River, Big Fish, Big Fun!
Sunken Lands Songwriting Circle

Boot Strap Award
Main Street Blytheville
McGehee Firefighters Memorial Park
Mrs. Vernie’s Food and Beverage

Cultural Heritage Award
Central Delta Depot Museum
Forrest City Downtown Community Art Alley
Paragould’s “The Station” Power Plant Revitalization

Tourism Person of the Year
To be announced at the banquet