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Delray makes the case as Rand McNally's 'Most Fun City'

Delray Beach Mayor Woodie McDuffie, far right, addresses the crowd Thursday at Old School Square. Joining him on the stage are Jorge Pesquera of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau Chuck Frustaci of Old School Square and Team Fresh Traveler: Anna Haas and Patricia Serrano. Pictured below left, Amber Lynn during a pre-rally concert.

By Palm Beach Business.com

DELRAY BEACH — Without a doubt, Delray Beach is the most fun small city in America. If you don’t believe it, ask Delray Mayor Woodie McDuffie or Jorge Pesquera, president of the Palm Beach County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

And if they don’t convince you just ask several hundred of their closest friends who gathered at Old School Square Thursday evening to pitch the city to Anna Haas and Patricia Serrano, a.k.a. Team Fresh Traveler, of Rand McNally’s Best of the Road series.

Delray is a finalist along with seven other small cities in the Best of the Road’s “Most Fun” category. Haas and Serrano were in Delray Thursday to experience and document what the city has to offer. Their video will air July 25 on the Travel Channel.

“Delray Beach, our beloved ‘Village by the Sea,’ exudes a special vibe that stands out in Florida and the nation as a whole,” McDuffie told the gathering.

Pesquera noted the contributions tourism has made to the economy of Palm Beach County and the key role that Delray Beach has played.

“Las Olas eat your heart out,” Pesquera said, referencing Fort Lauderdale’s entertainment and night life district. “This is a happening place!”

Amber Lynn, Delray’s unofficial musical ambassador, got the crowd in the mood with a concert before the official rally began.

The other finalist cities are: Denton, Texas; Baker City, Oregon; Tybee Island, Geo.; Geneva on the Lake, Ohio; Santa Claus, Ind.; Buena Park, Calif. and; Corning, N.Y.

Grayson Sullivan makes his pitch on Delray's behalf to Rand McNally's Anna Haas, while Patricia Serrano records the scene.

Faces in the crowd: From right: Mike Malone, president of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, Charles and Cindy Maurer, Delray city commissioners Tom Carney, Adam Frankel and Angeleta Gray. Commissioner Al Jacquet also joined the party before attending a city commission budget meeting.