BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. announced that the Bassmaster Elite Series event held in Elizabeth City, N.C., was honored with a 2025 North Carolina Main Street Award for Best Downtown Special Event or Event Series. The award recognized the community’s “Bassmaster Elite Series — Hooked on the Harbor” initiative, which centered around the 2025 Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound.
The award was presented March 11 during the North Carolina Main Street Awards Ceremony in New Bern by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The annual awards program recognizes outstanding projects and initiatives that strengthen downtown districts through economic vitality, promotion, design and organization. Elizabeth City was one of 13 communities statewide recognized for excellence in downtown revitalization.
“We are honored that the Bassmaster Elite Series event helped earn this recognition for Elizabeth City,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson. “Our events are designed to showcase world-class bass fishing while creating meaningful economic impact for our host communities. Elizabeth City embraced the Bassmaster Elite Series, and this award reflects the tremendous partnership between local leaders, businesses, volunteers and B.A.S.S.”
The 2025 Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound brought the sport’s top professional anglers to northeastern North Carolina and drew fans to Elizabeth City’s downtown waterfront district for daily weigh-ins and festivities.
The award-winning “Hooked on the Harbor” campaign highlighted the city’s waterfront, downtown businesses and local attractions while leveraging the national exposure generated by the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.
B.A.S.S. will return to Elizabeth City June 11-14 for the Maxam Tire Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound. Daily takeoffs will be held at Waterfront Park, with afternoon weigh-ins and Bassmaster Outdoors Expo activities taking place in downtown Elizabeth City. The event will feature the world’s best bass anglers competing on one of the nation’s most unique fisheries while generating tourism and economic activity throughout the region.
“We look forward to returning to Elizabeth City in 2026,” Anderson said. “The community’s enthusiasm, hospitality and commitment to creating a memorable experience for anglers and fans make it an outstanding destination for the Bassmaster Elite Series.”
For more information about the Bassmaster Elite Series, visit Bassmaster.com.