DAPHNE – The Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce’s Jubilee Festival of Arts was named the state’s top tourism event, chamber officials said.

The Daphne celebration received the 2022 State of Alabama Tourism Event of the Year Award Monday, Aug. 29, at the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Auburn.

The event includes art, music and local cuisine at the festival held in downtown Daphne.

Liz Thomson, chamber director of Tourism and Special Events, accepted the award in Auburn.

“We are so happy to win this award. It is exciting to show the state of Alabama how great the Jubilee Festival of Arts is. It takes our team, the artists, and our patrons to make this festival what it is. It is gratifying to be recognized for the dedication we all had through the pandemic and the two hurricanes,” Thomson said.

The event was held on Main Street for many years before being moved to Lott Park in 2020.

The Jubilee Festival of Arts committee and Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce made the decision to host the festival during 2020 but adapted to meet state and local procedures during the pandemic. Since then, the festival has grown tremendously with support from local and regional artists, patrons, and the City of Daphne.  

The Jubilee Festival of Arts features more than 140 local and regional artists. The festival also features the Jubilee Market for local food makers. Other attractions include entertainment, delicious food, and Kids Art. 

The 34^th-annual Jubilee Festival of Arts will take place Oct. 15 and 16 in Lott Park in Olde Town Daphne. The festival will include more than 140 artists. Anyone wanting more information about the festival can go to thejubileefestival.com.

At the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Gov. Kay Ivey said events such as the festival helped Alabama tourism industry increase more than 100% in less than a decade.

“I am proud to say that in the past 10 years, our industry has more than doubled,” Ivey said. “We have grown from $11 billion dollars in 2013 to more than $24 billion dollars this year. And since I have been governor, I am extremely proud that our tourism industry has grown by $10 billion dollars. These are the kind of results that are taking Alabama flying at full speed ahead. I’ll leave you with this: As we head into the next four years, I assure you that you have a governor who is committed a thousand percent to supporting the tourism industry and to the work that each and every one of you do.”