Members News
February 26th, 2009
10th Annual Delta Awards for Tourism Achievement
The tenth annual Delta Awards recognizing tourism achievements in Eastern Arkansas were presented during festivities Friday evening, February 26, at Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis, Arkansas.
The event was sponsored by Arkansas Delta Byways, the nonprofit association 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 event was also sponsored by the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce, the West Memphis Advertising and Promotion Commission and Main Street – West Memphis.
Arkansas Delta Byways is located on the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro and receives administrative support through Arkansas State University’s Heritage SITES Office.
For more information, contact Arkansas Delta Byways. (Phone: 870-972-2803, fax: 870-972-3200; e-mail: pmiles@astate.edu.)
Finalists for the awards were as follows, with the winner designated by an asterick:
1. Arkansas Delta Byways Media Support Award
KVSA Radio, McGehee
*MOR Media, Paragould
Sherry Laymon, Pfeiffer Country, Piggott
2. Arkansas Delta Byways Hospitality Award
Lena’s Café, Monticello
Lon Mann Cotton Research Station, Marianna
*Panchos Restaurant, West Memphis
3. Entrepreneur Award
Delta Gypsy, Helena-West Helena
Main Street Paragould Art and Stroll, Paragould
*Whitton Farms, Whitton
4. Arkansas Delta Byways Tourism Support Award
Jonesboro Parks and Recreation, Jonesboro
Paragould Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, Paragould
*Sisters’ at the Crossing, Blytheville
5. Arkansas Delta Byways Festival/Event of the Year Award
*Dermott Crawfish Festival, Dermott
St. Francis County Museum, “A Night at the Museum,” Forrest City
Midsouth Marathon, Wynne
6. Boot Strap Award
*Autumn on the Square, Marianna
Arkansas Delta Gospel Institute, Dumas
Main Street West Memphis, West Memphis
7. Arkansas Delta Byways Promotional Award
*Helena-West Helena - Heritage Month, Helena-West Helena
West Memphis Gateway Project, West Memphis
Sunken Lands Cultural Roadway Project, Marked Tree, Tyronza, Lepanto, Dyess
8. Arkansas Delta Byways Outstanding Member Award
*Mayor JoAnne Bush, Lake Village
Crowley’s Ridge State Park, Paragould
Gary Jones, all counties
9. Arkansas Delta Byways Cultural Heritage Award
*Arkansas Delta Music Trail, all counties
Arkansas Post National Memorial, Junior Ranger Camps, Gillett
Marjorie Hunter, Hope and Despair Exhibit, Marion
10. Arkansas Delta Byways Tourism Person of the Year Award
Gina Jarrett, Paragould
*Mayor Robert Patrick, St. Charles
Beth Wiedower, all counties
This site is paid for with a combination of state funds, private regional association funds, and a National Scenic Byway grant.