May 16--WATERLOO, Iowa -- A new hotel and a young-but-growing Cedar Falls business were among the winners at the ninth annual Cedar Valley Tourism Awards Tuesday at the Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo.

The awards were chosen via online balloting.

The Hilton Garden Inn, a $10 million, 78,790-square-foot hotel that opened in November in Cedar Falls, was named the Cedar Valley Hotel of the Year. The hotel, which has a conference center that can accommodate 400 people and has outdoor space for special events, such as weddings, already has hosted numerous gatherings and garnered some impressive voter comments, according to Aaron Buzza, executive director of the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Hilton Garden Inn was called "a great face for the Cedar Valley and visitors" by one voter. Another said the "hotel offers an unexpected level of lodging in our small community."

Scratch Cupcakery, which Natalie Brown opened in Cedar Falls three years ago and expanded to two other locations since then, was named Business of the Year because of the awareness the business has brought to the Cedar Valley and for their support of local events and tourism organizations.

"Visitors to the area take Scratch cupcakes home to their friends, family and co-workers after a visit to Waterloo or Cedar Falls," Buzza said in a news release. "Both bureaus remind visitors to experience places that are unique to our community, and Scratch has allowed visitors to experience the flavor of the area."

Texas Roadhouse, which has a location in Cedar Falls, was named Restaurant of the Year -- a new category in the annual awards event. The restaurant was credited with having worked "very well with hotels in the area and for connecting well with community organizations, charities, and events."

The 2013 Attraction of the Year is the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Voters praised the center for its "quality programming" that offers "both familiar and new experiences." Some voters mentioned the center's family-oriented shows and the Buck-A-Kid program offering diverse concepts to children "to help them understand and explore their world."

Iowa Irish Fest was voted Event of the Year. The state's largest Irish Fest stood out among the 19 nominees for voters for its "growth in variety and diversity of family entertainment."

The two local tourist bureaus also recognized local artists Paco Rosic and Gary Kelley as Waterloo and Cedar Falls Friend of Tourism, respectively.

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(c)2013 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)

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