The Grand Cities Art Fest was named event of the year during the second annual Hometown Heroes ceremony Tuesday evening in the Fire Hall Theatre.
The Greater Grand Forks Convention & Visitors Bureau, or CVB, started the event last year to award those people and organizations that make a significant contribution to the events and tourism industries in the city.
Kim Greendahl, Greenway specialist for Grand Forks, was picked as the tourism innovator of the year. Beth NuVeen from the Grand Cities Soccer Tournament picked up an award for event or convention organizer of the year.
Organization of the year went to the UND Office of Ceremonies & Special Events for its celebration of the university's 125th anniversary.
CVB staff selected the winners in each category, and chose Avis Fjestad from Travelodge as hospitality person of the year. That category was awarded based on nominations from other organizations and individuals in the tourism industry.
