"THANK YOU Seven Stars and Stripes - for your outstandingly creative concept of the American Dream Town. We are truly honored to have been nominated. The prospect of possibly attaining such a prestigious award has caused the spirits of our residents and friends to soar! Regardless of who wins the competition, you have caused the cohesiveness of our population to be elevated to a higher level - permanently. Again, thank you. Steve Weston, CEO, 21st Century Cinemas, a local family-owned and operated small business, Abingdon, Virginia." Steve Weston

The Annual American Dream Town Competition

"The American Dream Town idea has broad and wonderful implications for the small towns of this nation. The Mayors and Supervisors of these towns, competing for this honor, will proudly spruce up their towns, improve them and provide amenities for their communities that they might otherwise have created. This will help everyone. Nothing but good will comes of this." Dan Rattiner, Publisher Dans Papers

The national competition is now its 4th year, inspiring Americans to celebrate their town’s heritage, take pride in their neighborhood’s appearance, and to invite tourism and new residents to the area. Seven Stars and Stripes has created a beautiful ‘People’s Choice Award’ – click to see award plaque

What is an American Dream Town like?

· Population – A town is a town, not a city. Though there is no hard line between a town and city, we think towns are smaller and less urban and/or metropolitan. If you need a number, try about 50,000, but that doesn’t mean that if you have a wonderful town much larger it shouldn’t be nominated. But we are not looking for New York or Baltimore, or even Riverside, CA or Denton, TX. It’s small towns that will get the nod, not the large ones.

· Pretty – This is about as subjective as you can get. Tell us why you like your town, what is beautiful about it. Is it the architecture, the vistas, the countryside, trees, landscape, etc. Let us know your view of your American Dream Town.

· Pristine – Take into account such things as cleanliness, maintenance of the built environment, preservation of historic and natural features, things that make your town different and original.

· Patriotic – More than just flying a lot of flags. Why is your town a patriotic town? How are you preserving the American Dreams of your forbearers? Do you have a battleground, graveyard, or historic building that reflects on them? How about the immigrant experience in your town? Everyplace has a history, and American Dream Towns have a patriotic history.

Well, and if you want to know more, please visit us on our website: www.AmericanDreamTown.com