Lefty’s, Dogfish Dash and WonderFest win tourism awards

Lefty’s Alley’s and Eats, Dogfish Dash and Winter WonderFest were big winners at Southern Delaware Tourism’s annual awards luncheon Dec. 6.

Lefty’s, which opened in December 2016, won for best new attraction, while the Dogfish Dash, Dogfish Head’s annual 8K race, won for best event. The Winter WonderFest, which premiered in November 2016 in Lewes, won for best new event. Rounding out the list of winners was Delaware Beach Book, which won for tourism partner of the year.

Also honored at the awards ceremony at the Atlantic Sands Hotel, was Lewis “Jim” Blackwell, the curator of the Seaford Museum, who was given a special recognition of his service by members of Delaware’s General Assembly.

Winter WonderFest served 45,000 guests from 26 states in its inaugural year, award presenter Ben Gray said. The event raised $150,000 for 17 Sussex County nonprofits.

Peter Bricotto, who accepted the award with business partner John Snow, said, “We really tried to start something new and it’s always difficult to take the leap of faith. We want to thank everyone for their support.”

Accepting the award for Lefty’s were director of sales Stacy LaMotta and co-owner DJ Hill. Lefty’s is a full-service entertainment complex off Route 1, with a full restaurant and bar, bowling, a video arcade and laser tag. The venue attracted 140,000 over the past year.

“The design and concept of Lefty’s was very challenging and very lengthy. But nothing has been as difficult as running it for the past year, so I’d really like to thank our management team. There’s a lot of fun to be had at Lefty’s,” Hill said.

The Dogfish Dash has raised $644,000 over the last 10 years on behalf of the Delaware chapter of the Nature Conservancy. The event has gone from 200 to 3,500 runners in that time.

Accepting the award with Andrew Greeley on behalf of Dogfish Head, Mark Carter said the race has become an event that people spend a year planning for. He said the funds raised from the race have been used for nature projects around Sussex County.

“Dogfish is really excited to receive this,” Carter said. “We’re really happy that all the funds that are raised stay here in Delaware.”

Finally, Kevin Fleming and Marvin and Becky Carney accepted the award for Tourism Partner of the Year on behalf of Delaware Beach Book, a beach guide they publish every year. Presenter Betsy Reamer of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce said the book reaches 1 million people and helps provide vital information on accommodations, activities and events.

“When we started it, our intent was to show coastal Delaware. We’re very honored. And being the sales rep, I still have space!” Becky Carney said.

Featured speaker at the luncheon was Michelle Freeman, CEO of Carl Freeman Companies.

Freeman spoke of selling Sussex County as selling one-on-one experiences to counter the speed and convenience of online retailers like Amazon.

“We can compete with the hour delivery. The way we compete is by the traditional way of retail, the traditional way of tourism: friendliness, smiles. How you compete against an Amazon is you tell them what you have for sale and why it is different and important to shop on Main Street. That experience is second to none.”

“It starts with a visit,” said Scott Thomas, host and executive director of the tourism organization that produces Winter WonderFest.

He noted that tourism in Sussex County generates $1.7 billion in annual revenue and supports over 18,000 jobs within the community.

Winter WonderFest was recognized for its outstanding efforts to highlight southern Delaware by creating lasting memories for residents and visitors alike. In its first year, Winter WonderFest hosted more than 47,000 visitors from 26 states.

Its Light Spectacular holiday light show at Cape Henlopen State Park drew 11,000 vehicles to the 1.5 mile tour - creating holiday fun for families and friends one carload at a time.

Festival of Cheer is the nonprofit organization that oversees the fundraising efforts, which raised $150,000, providing $100,000 in community grants in 2016. “The money we raise stays right here in Sussex County,” said John Snow, Festival of Cheer president.

“This is just the beginning of putting our community on the map. We are honored to be recognized as Best New Event,” said Snow.

Attractions include the Light Spectacular, plus expanded family-fun attractions at the Christmas Village at the Lewes ferry terminal. There are visits with Santa and fun for kids at Santa’s workshops, plus the new Visit Delaware Ice Rink. For more information, go to wonderfestde.org.