Destination America has selected communities in Arizona and Michigan as the winners of its second annual "Red, White and You" contest.
Prescott, Ariz. and Hamtrack, Mich. will host spectacular Fourth of July celebrations, courtesy of Destination America and USA Weekend.
“We are honored to celebrate our nation’s birthday with these two very worthy communities,” said Marc Etkind, general manager for Destination America. “Fourth of July is a balance of remembrance with celebration and we hope to encourage the spirit and tradition of the holiday in Hamtramck, while commemorating the heroic firefighters of Prescott.”
The contest, borne out of many communities’ lack of funding to stage traditional events, last year awarded Union Beach, NJ, a coastal town recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, and Fayetteville, NC, a community which enthusiastically supports its military partners at Fort Bragg.
Launched in March, the 2014 Red, White and You contest, drawing 2,500 entries, asked folks across the country to put their pride on display to prove why their respective towns were most deserving of an over-the-top Independence Day party. Prescott is still recovering from the devastating wildfires that tragically claimed the lives of 19 brave firefighters, while Hamtramck is a city that has been hit by hard times, but in true American spirit is working to make a comeback.
Columbus, Ga., Charleston, W.V., Aiken, S.C., Ellwood City, Penn.; and Toledo, Ohio are the five runners-ups and will be feted with dazzling fireworks displays.
Additionally, an online poll for People’s Choice winner, which took place at DestinationAmerica.com, resulted in three winners with Delmont, S.D, Gloucester, Mass. And Hackleburg, Ala., coming out on top, each receiving $4000 toward their local parks and recreation departments.
Last year, Destination America lined up a spectacular party for Union Beach, headlined by Grammy Award-winning band The Mavericks. Union Beach was treated to barbeque from stars of the network’s series BBQ Pitmasters Myron Mixon and Tuffy Stone. In Fayetteville, there was a more patriotic nod to our country’s armed forces: the 82ndAirborne Division Chorus performed after a traditional posting of the colors and remarks from Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Colt, deputy commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.
