DeLand, home of Stetson University, has been voted as the Best Downtown in Central Florida. Touted as one of the state’s small town treasures, DeLand is the county seat of Volusia County, and a “college town” with Stetson’s campus classified as a National Historic District.

“DeLand ran away with the title,” reported Beth Kassab in the Dec. 17 issue of the Orlando Sentinel.  This was the Sentinel’s first Other Best Downtown bracket competition, and DeLand beat out Mount Dora by more than 8,000 votes in the final round. The contest kicked off Thanksgiving Day. Read Kassab’s article about DeLand in today’s Sentinel.

DeLand’s downtown, as described on the city’s website, is lined with notable gift shops and restaurants, and has been recognized as a national MainStreet program. The city’s special events focus on culture and the arts, history, hospitality and lifestyle.

Built in 1883, Florida’s oldest private university, Stetson University enhances the community’s rich cultural offerings with theater, music concerts, a vibrant speakers program and an art museum that houses one of the most extensive collections of art by Modernist painter Oscar Bluemner (1867-1938).

The first football season at the university in 57 years brought a renewed spirit to the campus and indeed to all of DeLand. All Hatter sports bring an added enthusiasm and revenue to the Stetson community.

“As a Hatter, I was excited to see how much pride our University alumni, faculty, staff and students take in our community” said City Manager Michael Pleus ’94, MBA ’99. “Stetson played a key role in securing the votes necessary to emerge the winner of the contest as Central Florida’s Best “Other” Downtown – Go Hatters!”

Thank you to all Stetson Hatters who participated and helped put DeLand over the top as the Best Downtown in Central Florida.