-Press Release, County of Granville, Public Information Officer Lynn Allred
Granville County has much to offer, and what better way to bring attention to the talents of the people who live here than nominating them for statewide recognition through the Made in NC Awards presented by Our State magazine and Mast General Store? Now in its third year, the contest spotlights unique makers and business owners in four categories: Home and Garden, Style, Food and Drink and Art. All products must be able to be reproduced for sale, with submissions judged on quality, innovation, creativity and the connection with North Carolina.
“Whatever it is that you make and sell, you’re proud to produce it right here in North Carolina,” contest information reads, “and we want to help you show it off to the entire state.”
One winner and two honorable mentions will be selected for each of the four categories, and an overall winner will be selected from the four category winners, receiving a $500 prize, an email and social media promotion; a short feature on madeinncawards.com and on ourstate.com; and a quarter page ad in the December 2018 edition of Our State magazine ($2,000 value). Category winners will also be featured in the Made in NC awards celebration on Oct0ber 13 in downtown Winston Salem.
Last year’s winners include Blue Mountain Bowls of Pisgah Forest for their vessel sinks (overall winner, winner of Art category); Ole Mason Jar of Charlotte for their button-down shirts (Style category); Troutman Chair Company of Troutman, NC for their Plantation Rocking Chairs (Home and Garden category) and The Chef’s Farmer of Shelby for their Old North Shrub beverage (Food and Drink category).
Judges for this year’s contest include Mast General Store President Lisa Cooper; Our State Store Manager Nicole Bogus; Co-founder of Ole Mason Jar Bradley Rhyne; Founder and Owner of Replacements Ltd. Bob Page; Artist Patrick Doughtery; and Angus Barn owner Van Eure. In addition to determining this year’s winners, judges from the Our State Store and Mast General Store will also consider submissions for merchandising opportunities.
Entries are accepted online at madeinncawards.com through July 18. Once all submission forms are received at the end of the entry period, an Our State representative will contact nominees if a sample of the product is required.
Winners will be announced on August 23, 2018.
For more information about this contest, contact Angela Allen, Director of Granville County Tourism Development Authority, at 919-693-6125 or angela.allen@granvillecounty.org.