CoolCraft American Summer Featuring Sips Across America

Celebrate the 250th with Sips from Across America!

West Volusia Tourism and our partners will celebrate America 250 and Florida 250 with the return CoolCraft Summer, our exclusive West Volusia beverage competition designed to bring visitors and residents together to vote for the best beverages within our region.

Featuring "Sips Across America," the celebration begins June 26 and continues through Labor Day, September 7, with 23 beverages themed to the people, landscapes, rich history, and culture of one of the 50 states. Ranging from local coffee roasters to breweries, tea purveyors, and mixologists, each participating business has crafted either an alcoholic (Spirited) or alcohol free (Free Spirited) creation.

To celebrate the semiquincentennial all summer long, visitors and locals can stop by any participating CoolCrafter, order their summer beverage, and cast their votes to help decide which business takes home the winning trophy and ultimate bragging rights.

The CoolCraft Election System is getting a major upgrade this year! In addition to the online voting platform used over the past four years, WVTAA is introducing something different this year, paper ballots. Available at any participating CoolCraft location, the West Volusia Visitor Center, or printable at home, the paper ballot is the official passport of this year’s Beverage Competition. Featuring the full list of participating CoolCrafters, you can track your progress and map out your summer tour. Guests who submit their ballots on or before Election Day, September 7, to the West Volusia Visitor Center, 116 W New York Ave., DeLand, FL, will receive a commemorative CoolCraft Summer “Made in America” bumper sticker.

To launch the competition, WVTAA is partnering with ArtWorks DeLand to host an Official Kickoff Party on Friday, June 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The celebration will feature live music, kids' crafts, and hands-on activities for all ages. Guests can also pick up the official craft: A build-your-own American Bald Eagle cutout. Attendees can trace it onto cardboard, paper, or felt, assemble their masterpiece, and send a photo to WVTAA to be shared on social media.

For the complete list of CoolCraft American Summer entries, paper ballots, and to start planning your getaway, visit coolcrafttrail.com/summer