Oct. 4, 2005 -- The sixth annual Delta Awards recognizing tourism achievements in Eastern Arkansas will be presented during festivities Friday evening, Oct. 28, at the Arkansas State University Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive in Jonesboro.

The evening will begin with a 5-6 p.m. reception at the Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center, 600 E. Lawson. A silent auction from 6-7 p.m. will be at the Fowler Center with dinner following at 7 p.m.

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 or a table of eight for $175. 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: Delta Sounds, Phillips County; Paul Holmes, Northeast Arkansas Business Today, Craighead County; and, Mustang 17, St. Francis County.

Hospitality Award: Corning Welcome Center, Clay County; Main Street Osceola - Thunder Cruise 2004, Mississippi County; and, Oliver’s Restaurant, Phillips County.

Entrepreneur Award: Randy Pearson, Lakeside Hunting Resort, St. Francis County; Shirley Schoettlin, Clay County; and, Woody’s Barbeque and Catering, Poinsett County.

Tourism Support Award: Arkansas State University Equine Center, Craighead County; Big Woods Conservation Partnership, Monroe County; and, Helena Welcome Center, Phillips County.

Festival/Event of the Year: The Cotton Pickin’ Festival, St. Francis County; Frontier Days, Cross County; and, Rockin’ on the Ridge, Craighead County.

Boot Strap Award: Greene County Museum, Greene County; Mississippi County Historical Society, Mississippi County; and, Phillips County Museum, Phillips County.

Promotional Award: Lepanto Citizens for Progress, Poinsett County; Tourism and Business Initiative of Eastern Arkansas, Lee and St. Francis Counties; and, the West Memphis Bridge Project, Crittenden County.

Outstanding Member Award: Frank Henry, Chicot County; Sheila Mangrum, Greene County; and, Leigh Smiley, Cross County.

Cultural Heritage Award: Delta Heritage Tours Gospel Choir, Phillips County; Desha County Museum, Desha County; and, Picturing Parkin’s Past, Cross County.

Tourism Person of the Year: Garland Hayes, Arkansas County; Larry Mallard, Arkansas and Monroe Counties; and, Vicki Trimble, Cross County.