Delta Awards for Tourism Achievement Presented in Stuttgart
Marcel Hanzlik, tourism association president, with representatives of Historic Dyess Colony, which received the Cultural Heritage Award (from left):
Paula Miles, Kirkley Thomas, Larry Sims,
Dr. Ruth A. Hawkins and Dr. Elista Istre.
Marcel Hanzlik made the Bootstrap Award presentation to ASU Museum representatives (from left) Valerie Ponder, Judy Lamb, Dr. Marti Allen, director, Dr. Ruth Hawkins, Desiree Fowler and Paige Creed.
STUTTGART – The 15th annual Delta Awards recognizing tourism achievement in Eastern Arkansas were presented during festivities Friday, Feb. 6, at the Grand Prairie Center in Stuttgart.
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.
The counties are Arkansas, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Lee, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett and St. Francis.
Kirkley Thomas, vice president for governmental affairs at the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and an A-State alumnus, received the "Tourism Person of the Year" award. The organization saluted Thomas’ long-time support of the development of Arkansas State’s Heritage Site at Historic Dyess Colony: Boyhood Home of Johnny Cash.
A-State's Dyess project also was winner in the "Cultural Heritage" award category. In April 2014 the site was dedicated with members of the Cash family present, then it later opened to the public. The response has been outstanding.
The "Boot Strap Award" was presented to the staff of ASU Museum for Rockabilly Boogiefest 2014, a benefit concert held to celebrate the rich music heritage of the region and help fund a permanent Rockabilly exhibit.
The "Media Support Award" went to Dr. Bill Smith, executive director of marketing and communications for Arkansas State.
The winners of the other awards were as follows:
- "Hospitality Award": Kelley Drug and Selections, McGehee
- "Entrepreneur Award": Vandiver’s Newcastle Farms, Forrest City
- "Tourism Support/Promotional Award": Delta Heritage State Park, Helena
- "Festival/Event of the Year Award": German Heritage Fest, Stuttgart
- "Outstanding Member Award": Gina Jarrett, Paragould
The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center at Piggott was a finalist for the Tourism Support/Promotional Award.
Arkansas Delta Byways is located on the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro and receives administrative support through A-State’s Arkansas Heritage Sites office.
For more information, contact Arkansas Delta Byways, (870) 972-2803.
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