Farmers recognized at Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. banquet

Tuesday evening, hundreds of people made their way to the city for a one-of-a-kind event to celebrate one of the shore's most prominent industries.

Folks packed into Wicomico Civic Center to recognize the success of Delmarva's poultry industry.

In the crowd were farmers, poultry company employees, and legislators.

Three people were given major awards and one of them was Mountaire's CEO Paul Downes, who took home the most prestigious honor.

Under his leadership, Mountaire has grown to become the seventh largest chicken company in the country and for event organizer's that's what the event is all about.

"We have about 800 people here. Chicken growers, chicken companies, employees, representatives of companies who supply services, legislators, university people and a host of others just to celebrate the industry recognize some outstanding individuals and have fun," says Bill Satterfield, executive director for Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.

Even Gov. John Carney was in attendance to show his support for the industry.

He tells 47 ABC, "When you think about poultry on Delmarva you think of the strength of our economy here in Delaware and on the other side of the border in Maryland. So when you think about that we're sort of one state if you will, we got the same interests."

11 other chicken farmers were recognized for their work on behalf of the chicken industry.