Dover, DE – Kent County is becoming a popular destination for those who enjoy locally-crafted wines beers and spirits, and Painted Stave Distillery of Smyrna has been chosen as the Tourism Attraction of the Year for the 23rd Annual Celebration of Tourism in Kent County, set for Friday, November 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A limited number of tickets are now on sale.
Sponsors of this year’s event include Dover International Speedway, signature sponsor; Delaware State News, media sponsor; First State Heritage Park, dessert sponsor; Delaware Electric Cooperative, party favor sponsor; Faw Casson CPAs, awards sponsor; Chesapeake Utilities, table décor; and Mainstay Suites, beverage station sponsor.
The event will include a full buffet awards luncheon, a selection of free local wines and beers, signature dessert and the “Best of Kent County” silent auction featuring overnight stays, accessories, restaurant gift certificates and more, just in time for holiday shopping.
Seven awards will be presented, including “Tourism Person of the Year,” which is not revealed until the event. The following additional awards will be presented:
· Partner of the Year – Delaware Tourism Office, which has partnered with Kent County Tourism on numerous projects including the Dover Days Festival and the Delaware Wine and Beer Festival.
· Volunteers of the Year – Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Kent County, who have assisted Kent County Tourism for a number of years on special events such as the Amish Country Bike Tour, mailings and goodie bag packing.
· Hotel Partners of the Year – Holiday Inn Express/Dover and Mainstay Suites, both of which have sponsored travel writer familiarization tours, as well as tourism events in the past year, and overall support of Kent County Tourism.
· Media Partner of the Year – Delmarva Broadcasting (La Exitosa 104.1, Eagle 97.7 and Delaware 105.9), which has supported Dover Days, Delaware Wine and Beer Festival and the Good Libations Tour.
“We invite our community supporters, tourism colleagues and partners to join us for our annual Celebration of Tourism,” said Cindy Small, Executive Director of Kent County Tourism. “This is our yearly opportunity to recognize those businesses and individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for the benefit of tourism in Kent County.”
Tickets are $35 per person or $265 per table of eight and can be purchased by calling Kent County Tourism at 302-734-4888. Cash, checks or credit cards accepted.
