EDITOR'S NOTE: This event has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 23, due to expected inclement weather on May 9.

Come for an evening with the stars. The 2024 Stars of the Banner Celebration returns to Cambridge with live music, good food and fun. This free, public celebration is presented by the Dorchester Banner on Thursday, May 23, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh.

Readers have been voting all spring in the Stars poll, to honor the businesses, organizations, nonprofits and people who go above and beyond. The contest has over 100 categories, from favorite fried chicken to fine dining, and festivals to photographers and financial planners.

Everyone is welcome to attend this relaxed, but lively event. Enjoy live music by Tranzfusion, exhibits from many of the winners, food vendors, celebratory drinks for purchase, door prizes and more. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for an evening along the beautiful Choptank River, perfect for a sunset event.

Stars of the Banner winners can pick up their awards and smile for the camera at the Winners Circle photo area.

Cupcakes will be given away (while supplies last), and food will be available for purchase from ThaiTalian Infusion Cuisine, Scottish Highland Creamery, The Red Shef, That Kitchen, Simmons Center Market, Lil’ Bitta Bull Pit Stop, Mrs. Martins Cookies and K&S Lemonade. Plus, the Dorchester Chamber Foundation will have beer and wine for sale to benefit the Dorchester Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund.

There will be a special on-stage Hometown Heroes presentation for individuals who work to make the Dorchester community a better place. The Hometown Heroes award is sponsored by Choptank Electric.

“I love Stars of the Banner and how it has grown over the years,” said Dave Cannon, Dorchester Banner marketing consultant. It started with the Hometown Heroes volunteerism awards. “It was so popular that we at the Dorchester Banner wanted to include our readers’ favorite businesses and organizations. So, Stars of the Banner was born and over the years has grown to be a community favorite. The great part is: because of local business support, we are able to hold a free open to the public celebration, including live entertainment, to honor our local community.”

This evening under the stars is sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities, State Farm – Megan Holotik Agent, TreeHouse Foods, and Mallard Bay Nursing & Rehab, and Choptank Electric Cooperative. The evening’s entertainment is sponsored by Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. and Cambridge Harbor.

Event details are online at DelmarvaEvents.net. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. Outside beverage containers are not permitted in the event area.

Look for the Stars of the Banner keepsake booklet in the May 1 edition of the Dorchester Banner or online at BayToBayNews.com/Dorchester/SpecialSections. It includes the complete list of Stars winners & finalists, plus interviews with the 2024 Hometown Heroes.

This event was originally scheduled for May 9, but rescheduled due to expected inclement weather.