Culture

What are your Downtown faves — get your noms in now!

The Independent is teaming up with DLU on this year’s Downtown Awards.

What’s your favorite way to eat, sip, be and do Downtown Lafayette? We want to know.

When you work, live or play Downtown, you quickly discover the culture, convenience, food and fun that lies around every corner. There are few other places where you can enjoy everything from fresh boudin to authentic gelato all while listening to music from Grammy-winning artists and shopping at Acadiana’s best retailers. Every Downtowner has a favorite restaurant, bar or even a little secret Downtown spot he loves.

Downtown Lafayette Unlimited is giving you the opportunity to show those people and businesses how much you appreciate their contributions to making Downtown and Lafayette a cool, cultural hub for our region by nominating them for a Downtown Award. For the first time this year, The Independent has signed on as media sponsor for the event.

Through Sept. 23, DLU is accepting nominations in four categories — from where to take Paw Paw to lunch to Downtown’s best-kept secret. Its goal is to uncover the most loved places Downtown and recognize the people making it all possible. Nominees will be announced Oct. 1 in The Independent and online at theind.com.

Voting will take place Oct. 1-23, and winners will be revealed Nov. 1 in The Independent and online at theind.com.

The winners will receive their awards Nov. 18 during DLU's awards presentation event (more details on the event coming soon).

Businesses or individuals interested in sponsorships, tickets or in purchasing a table can contact Kate Durio at [email protected].

Nominate your favorites in the following categories:

Eat. Chef, Where to Take Paw Paw to Lunch, New Menu Item, Outdoor Dining
Sip. Barista, Bar Tender, New Cocktail, Happy Hour, Sexiest Bar, Single Mingle
Be. Downtown Hero , New Business, Champion for the Creative Class and Cultural Catalyst, Coolest House, Best Storefront, Accommodations
Do. Cheap Thrill, Best Kept Secret, New Band, New Event, Performing Arts, Shop, Art Galleries, Live Music

Click here to nominate.