Nominations for the 2024 Southern Delaware Tourism Awards are now open for area residents and businesses to nominate groups or individuals who have made significant contributions to the tourism industry in Sussex County between October 2023 and October 2024.

Nominations must be completed and submitted by Nov. 1 and the winners will be announced in December. Previous nominees who have not won an award are eligible for re-nomination.

“Tourism is a huge economic engine for Sussex County,” said Scott Thomas, executive director of Southern Delaware Tourism. “This is our way of honoring those that have gone above and beyond to contribute to the tourism industry in our area. We encourage everyone to consider who they think may be worthy recipients of these awards, and to nominate them.”

The categories and criteria for each are:

• Best Event — This award will be presented to an event held in Sussex County during the eligibility period and is based on visitation draw, uniqueness, out-of-area promotion, helping to spotlight Sussex County as a destination.
• Best New Event (for first time events held in Sussex County) — This award will be presented to an event held for the first time in Sussex County during the eligibility period and is based on visitation draw, uniqueness, out-of-area promotion, helping to spotlight Sussex County as a destination.
• Best Attraction — This award will be presented to a tourism attraction in Sussex County and is based on visitation draw, tourism economic impact to the community, group-friendliness, collaboration with accommodations.
• Philanthropic Award — This award will be presented to an individual, business or organization and is based on contributing to and promoting the welfare of the community that makes Sussex County a better place to visit. Nominees should highlight all relevant resources and assistance provided to make the county a better destination.

Nomination forms and instructions for the 2024 Southern Delaware Tourism Awards available at VisitSouthernDelaware.com/tourism-award-nomination or by calling 302-856-1818.

2023 recipients were:

• Best Event: Horseshoe Crab & Shorebird Festival
• Best New Event: Rehoboth Beach Main Street’s Margarita Crawl
• Best Attraction: Jolly Trolley
• Philanthropic Award: Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce

Past recipients of the annual award also include 302 Day, Schellville Enchanted Winter Celebration, Delaware Botanic Gardens, Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, La Vida Hospitality, Winter Delmarva Dogfish BirdINNg Weekends;, Ashley Houdbert - Visit Rehoboth / Visit Lewes; Freeman Arts Pavilion; Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc.; Delaware Sea Grant College Program / University of Delaware; Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall, the American Legion Family of Post 17, Lewes; Cinema Art Theater, Rehoboth Beach Film Society; Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival; Delaware Beach Life magazine; Mid Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival; Fire & Ice Festival; Ladybug Music Festival; Freeman Stage; Delaware State Parks; Dogfish Dash; Winter Wonderfest; Lefty’s Alley & Eats; Delaware Beach Book; Return Day; First Annual BooBQue by the Sea; Cape Henlopen State Park’s Gordons Pond Trail & Junction and Breakwater Trail; Western Sussex Tourism Committee; The Freeman Stage at Bayside; Nassau Valley Vineyards; the Apple Scrapple Festival; Dogfish Head Brewery Tours; the Rehoboth Beach Film Festival; the Lewes Maritime History Trail; the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour; Eating Rehoboth Walking Food Tours; and The Sea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers’ Festival.