Poinsett has five finalists in the Delta Byways Awards

Five Poinsett County entities will be recognized at the ninth annual Delta Awards banquet at the Paragould Community Center on Friday, Jan. 30. The awards are presented to recognize tourism achievements in Eastern Arkansas by the Arkansas Delta Byways Association, a non-profit tourism promotion association serving 15 counties of Eastern Arkansas.

Poinsett County is represented as finalists in five of the ten award categories. The Tri-City Tribune is a finalist for the Media Support Award, The Sunken Lands Chamber of Commerce is a finalist for the Hospitality Award, Parker Pioneer Homestead in Harrisburg is a finalist for the Entrepreneur Award, Marked Tree is a finalist for the Boot Strap Award because of its efforts to bring the moving Vietnam wall to the city, and the Southern Tenant Farmers Museum in Tyronza is a finalist for the Cultural Heritage Award.

Arkansas Delta Byways is recognized by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism as the official tourism promotion association for 15 counties in Eastern Arkansas including 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 in Jonesboro and receives administrative support through Arkansas State University's Arkansas Heritage SITES Office.

Travel and tourism opportunities are promoted by a volunteer board that includes three representatives from each county. The board works with members of the association (including communities, chambers of commerce, advertising and promotion commissions, individual attractions, restaurants, lodging facilities and others interested in tourism) to make visitors and residents alike aware of the wonderful heritage and culture of the Delta region.