Our State Magazine Awards

Our State Magazine is celebrating everything created in North Carolina and that is not all. They’re looking for the best of the best in the state.

The magazine’s hosting its second yearly Made In North Carolina Awards this summer and now is your opportunity to be recognized for classes in fashion, food and drink, home and garden and artwork.

The awards celebrate the talent in the people who make North Carolina great. Judges will be picking products within each category will be judged on many different factors, including quality, uniqueness and authenticity.

Jeremy Markovich is a senior editor and writer at Our State. He says the judges will choose a winner and two honorable mentions for each category.

“If you’ve got something that’s made in North Carolina and feels just like North Carolina; definitely submit! It’s wonderful to see everything that comes in. We’re searching for unique things and the things that really just pop.”

The winner gets $500 and is featured in Our State Magazine.

Cameron Cruse won best in style last year for her line of R. Riverter handbags. The business provides mobile flexibility income for military spouses.

“Military spouses create all the parts and bits from home, wherever the military takes them and then we assemble them all right here in North Carolina, just outside of Fort Bragg,” explained Cruse.

Cruse said her firm winning the award and being featured in an Our State post gave her business a boost.

“It was this unbelievable opportunity. I think the reason that Our State Magazine, the reason this whole competition is so exciting is because it gives you instant credibility. I’m a big advocate for anybody who’s a brand maker. This is a great chance,” said Cruse.

If you are interested in being named best in North Carolina, you need to get going. The entry deadline is coming up.

Submission period: May 17 – July 19
Length interval: July 20 – August 23
Winners statement: August 24