PRESTONSBURG, KY – The excitement is building in the Appalachian region as the finalists for the highly anticipated 2024 Appalachian Arts and Entertainment Awards, affectionately known as The Appys, were officially unveiled on Wednesday, January 17th.
The 2024 Appys, a celebration of exceptional talent and creativity across the Appalachian region, are set to be bigger and better than ever, promising a night filled with memorable moments and outstanding performances. The announcement of the finalists marks a significant milestone in this year’s awards season.
Jill Hamlin, Assistant Director of Fine Arts for Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) and founder of the Appys, shared her excitement about the nomination process. She stated that the journey began in the Fall when the official website www.theappyawards.com opened its doors to nominations from talented individuals and groups throughout the Appalachian region.
“The response to the nomination and voting process has been overwhelming,” said Hamlin. “We’ve witnessed an incredible outpouring of talent from all 13 states that make up the Appalachian region.”
Many may not realize the vast extent of the Appalachian footprint, which stretches from New York to Mississippi, encompassing numerous locations within these 13 states: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Hamlin emphasized, “Having submissions from each of these states is a testament to the incredible talent and diversity within the region. It also reflects the widespread enthusiasm for an awards ceremony that showcases the very best of what the entire Appalachian region has to offer.”
The finalists, carefully chosen through a rigorous process that involved over 639,000 votes cast by the public, now face the discerning judgment of a panel of esteemed industry professionals. The winners of each category will be revealed during the highly anticipated 2024 Appy Awards.
The 2024 Appy Awards ceremony promises to be an unforgettable event, set to take place at The Mountain Arts Center on Saturday, March 16th. The festivities will commence with a star-studded Red-Carpet Event at 6pm, followed by the award ceremony at 7pm.
Tickets for this glamorous evening can be purchased by visiting www.macarts.com or by calling 1-888-MAC-ARTS. Accommodations for the event can also be found by visiting www.prestonsburgky.org
The 2024 Appy Awards are not just an awards ceremony; they are a celebration of Appalachian talent, creativity, and the spirit of artistic innovation. Be part of this extraordinary event and witness the crowning of the Appalachian region’s brightest stars.
Namaste to all nominees! Best of luck for bringing home a win this year!