The town of Mariposa has been named as a winner of the award for Best Small-Town Cultural Scene from USA Today 10Best. Mariposa placed second in the voting behind Camden, New York.
To be considered for the award, a town must have fewer than 25,000 residents and have outstanding examples of museums, art galleries, performing arts and a strong stable of local events.
Mariposa was well suited for this contest despite its population of just 1,156 people – the smallest of the towns to earn recognition. Mariposa County is located on the southwestern edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is home to rich Gold Rush history, as well as Yosemite National Park, a world-renowned outdoor destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site offering outdoor activities such as hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing and snowboarding and skydiving.
Mariposa County hosts three museums including the Mariposa Museum and History Centre, which was named by the Smithsonian as one of the best small museums west of the Mississippi River. The town boasts three art galleries, local filmmakers that debut their works in Mariposa and holds the title of being the smallest town in America with a symphony orchestra, The Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra.
Nominees for all categories were chosen by a panel of travel experts which included a combination of editors from USA TODAY, editors from 10Best.com, relevant expert contributors and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties.
