Selma and Dallas County have attractions and events that draw thousands of people to rural Alabama every year.

Without a doubt, probably no other community of 20,000 people in America draws as many people in every year as Selma does.

A major motion picture, the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches and the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Selma put the community in the national spotlight for the past year.

And as important as those three events were in shaping our future, both locally and even nationally, there are many other local attractions and events that make Selma and Dallas County such a unique place to live and work.

Last year, the Selma and Dallas County Tourism Department held a competition online to honor the top local attraction and event. In the inaugural contest, Old Cahawba Archaeological Park and Integrity Worldwide’s 5K won the top spots.

The contest is back this year with 28 attractions and 40 events to choose from. We encourage everyone to vote and show their support for the community and what sets us apart.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, said residents can vote once a day, every day until voting is closed Jan. 22.

For more information and to vote in the 2016 Tourism Awards, visit the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or call (334) 875-7241.