Henry Award Finalists Named for Tourism Honors

From zombies to Lum & Abner, an eclectic lineup of finalists is up for honors at the 2019 Henry Awards for tourism promotion, to be presented at the 45th Annual Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism in February in Hot Springs.

Finalists announced this week include longtime Arkansas filmmaker Gary Jones, the Zombie Crawl in Eureka Springs and the Lum & Abner Festival in Mena, named for Polk County’s favorite comedy duo from the heyday of early radio.

The awards ceremony, on Feb. 26 at the Hot Springs Convention Center, will cap the conference, which runs Feb. 24-26. Along with the Henry Awards themselves, Arkansas Tourism will also name the Tourism Person of the Year, selected by former honorees as the man or woman who made a great contribution over the previous year to Arkansas’ tourism industry.

Last year’s honoree was Madison Murphy, the Murphy USA corporate chairman who helped birth the Murphy Arts District, known as the MAD, in his native El Dorado. The development includes an amphitheater, restaurant and music hall, among other attractions.

Here are the finalists in all categories.

Media Support Award, presented to a distinguished individual or organization for extraordinary attention to and/or support of the tourism industry through the use of media:

• Gary Jones Video
• JC Productions
• John Rech

Bootstrap Award, presented to an individual, organization or community that has achieved significant success “on a shoestring,” having limited means to work with, either in resources or finances:

• First Friday Monthly Market, Camden
• Melba Theater, Batesville
• Zombie Crawl, Eureka Springs

Arkansas Heritage Award, presented to an individual, organization or community that has made a significant contribution toward the preservation of some aspect of Arkansas’ natural, cultural or aesthetic legacy:

• Arkansas Quilt Trails
• Edgemont House, North Little Rock
• George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville

Grand Old Classic Special Event Award, presented to a festival, fair or other special celebration that has “stood the test of time” and become an established example to follow:

• Lum & Abner Festival, Mena
• Fordyce on the Cotton Belt Festival
• Old Soldiers Reunion, Mammoth Spring

Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, presented to a community, individual or organization that through outstanding volunteer spirit has made a substantial contribution to Arkansas’ tourism industry:

• Central Arkansas Trail Alliance
• Ozark Off-Road Cyclists
• Searcy County Chamber of Commerce

Community Tourism Development Award, presented to a community or organization that has achieved substantial success in the enhancement of its local resources through imaginative and innovative development efforts:

• Discover Siloam Springs
• Helena Advertising & Promotion Commission
• Visit Hot Springs

Natural State Award, presented to a community, organization, special event or attraction that “stands out in the crowd” because of its unique appeal, media coverage, creative approach and/or enhancement of community pride, thus benefiting the state’s quality of life:

• 8th Street Market, Bentonville
• Fort Smith Bicentennial Celebration
• Tour ‘da Delta Bicycle Ride, Helena-West Helena