The evening will begin with a 5-6 p.m. reception held at the Dumas Area Arts Center, 100 S. Main. A silent auction will be at the Dumas Community Center from 6-7 p.m. and dinner will begin at 7 p.m. The evening will be hosted by the Dumas Chamber of Commerce and the Dumas Advertising and Promotion Committee.

The event is 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.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $25 per person and reservations can be made for a table of eight. For information on ticket availability, contact Arkansas Delta Byways. (Phone: 870-972-2803; Fax: 870-972-3200; E-mail: pmiles@astate.edu).

Finalists for the awards include:

Media Support Award:

KASU, Craighead and Greene Counties

Michelle Page, Phillips County

Michael Wilkey, Craighead and Poinsett Counties

Hospitality Award:

John Crow, Phillips County

City of Dumas, Desha County

Ronnie Walker, Chicot County

Entrepreneur Award:

Delta Heritage Tours, Phillips County

Heart of Arkansas Farm Tours, Arkansas County

Pumpkin Hollow, Clay County

Tourism Support Award:

Crittenden County Arts Council, Crittenden County

Greater Jonesboro Chamber of Commerce, Craighead

Sonny Boy Blues Society, Phillips County

Festival/Event of the Year Award:

Arkansas Delta Family Gospel Festival, Phillips County

Cotton Pickin’ Festival, St. Francis County

Osceola Heritage MusicFest, Mississippi County

Boot Strap Award:

Drew County Historical Museum, Drew County

Phillips County Museum, Phillips County

Arts Council of Mississippi County, Mississippi County

Promotional Award:

Paragould Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greene County

City of Dyess, Mississippi County

Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, All Counties

Outstanding Member Award:

Sandra Kemmer, Monroe County

Sheila Mangrum, Greene County

Merle Williams, Poinsett County

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

Tourism Person of the Year Award:

Sarah Beth Christian, Crittenden County

Robin McClendon, Drew County

Mark McElroy, Desha County