Oct. 23, 2006 - The seventh annual Delta Awards recognizing tourism achievements in Eastern Arkansas were presented during festivities Friday evening, Oct. 20, at the Dumas Community Center.

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. 

Arkansas Delta Byways is located on the Arkansas State University campus and receives administrative support through Arkansas State University’s Delta Heritage Initiatives Office.

For more information, contact Arkansas Delta Byways.  (Phone: 870-972-2803; Fax: 870-972-3200.

Finalists were as follows, with the winner designated by two asterisks ** :

1.      Media Support Award    
                ** KASU, Craighead and Greene Counties
                Michelle Paige, Phillips County
                Michael Wilkey, Craighead and Poinsett Counties
       
2.      Hospitality Award
                John Crow, Phillips County
                ** City of Dumas, Desha County
                Ronnie Walker, Chicot County
       
3.      Entrepreneur Award
                ** Delta Heritage Tours, Phillips County
                Heart of Arkansas Farm Tours, Arkansas County
                Pumpkin Hollow, Clay County
                                               
4.      Tourism Support Award
                Crittenden County Arts Council, Crittenden County
                ** Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce, Craighead
                Sonny Boy Blues Society, Phillips County
       
5.      Festival/Event of the Year Award
                Arkansas Delta Family Gospel Festival, Phillips County
                ** Cotton Pickin’ Festival, St. Francis County
                Osceola Heritage MusicFest, Mississippi County
                
6.      Boot Strap Award       
                Drew County Historical Museum, Drew County
                ** Phillips County Museum, Phillips County
                Arts Council of Mississippi County, Mississippi County
 
7.      Promotional Award
                ** (tie) Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greene County
                ** (tie) City of Dyess, Mississippi County
                Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, All Counties
       
8.      Outstanding Member Award
                Sandra Kemmer, Monroe County
                ** Sheila Mangrum, Greene County
                Merle Williams, Poinsett County
       
9.      Cultural Heritage Award
                Heritage Studies Ph.D. Program, Craighead County
                ** Northern Ohio School, Parkin Archeological State Park, Cross                         County
                Gerldene Denson Clark, St. Francis County
               
10.     Tourism Person of the Year Award
                Sarah Beth Christian, Crittenden County
                ** Robin McClendon, Drew County
                Mark McElroy, Desha County