The Selma and Dallas County Tourism department gave out its first ever tourism awards Thursday at its annual meeting.

The Event of the Year went to the Integrity Worldwide 5K, which benefited the nonprofit group that continues to make enormous strides in Kenya. The Attraction of the Year was awarded to the Old Cahawba Archaeological Park.

Ashley Mason, Selma’s tourism director, spearheaded the awards, which were chosen by the people of Selma and Dallas County through an online vote. Mason deserves a lot of credit for starting the annual awards, which we hope will go on for decades and decades more.

The people of Selma also deserve a pat on the back for putting the thought and time into the process that it deserved. Mason said Thursday that there were over 500 votes in the contest, which is not too shabby for a first year contest.

Through the years, the contest will surely grow in popularity.

Congrats to the winners. We look forward to seeing which events and attractions are nominated for their efforts in 2015.