JACKSON — The Natchez Democrat came home with 30 awards at the Mississippi Press Association’s Mid-Winter Conference Better Newspaper Advertising Awards competition Saturday, one of which was the sought-after overall Advertising Excellence prize.

The Mississippi Press Association, founded in 1866, each year recognizes advertising excellence at an awards luncheon in Jackson.

The Democrat was one of five newspapers in the state to be recognized for the Advertising Excellence prize, alongside The Magee Courier, The Daily Journal of Tupelo, The Panolian of Batesville, and The Deer Creek Pilot of Rolling Fork.

The Democrat’s awards include 10 first-place wins, including:

• Advertising Excellence — Staff
• Theme Page — Steve Holifield — ACCS, State Bound
• Series of Ads — Justin Clarkston — Corner Bar Questions
• Editorial Special Section: Newsprint — Staff — Spring Pilgrimage
• Small space Ad in black and white or color — Justin Clarkson — Corner Bar, Party Like an Animal
• Service Ad – Color — Steve Holifield — Greenlawn Memorial, Candlelight
• Service Ad – Black and White — Steve Holifield — Trippe’s Oil Change Special
• Financial Ad – Color — Justin Clarkston — Home Bank, Toy Drive
• Institutional Ad – Black and White — Steve Holifield — ACCS, Trick or Track
• Grocrery or Restaurant Ad – color — Justin Clarkston — Happiness on a cold day

The Democrat staff also won 12 second-place awards:

• Magazine Ad – Institutional, Financial or Service — Justin Clarkston — Natchez Wealth, Game Plan
• Niche Product — Staff — Unofficial Visitors’ Guide
• House Ad Promoting Digital Platforms — Claudia Holifield — Sports Action
• Theme Page — Justin Clarkston — Franklin St. Open House
• Series of Ads — Pascha Brown — Riverfront Medical
• Editorial Special Section – Glossy — Staff — Lift Off
• Small Space Ad – Black and White or Color — Pascha Brown — RRUS, Did you Get Everything on Her List
• Grocery or Restaurant Ad – black and white — Justin Clarkston — Bowie’s Tavern, Yappy Hour
• Service Ad – black and white – Steve Holifield — Natchez Water Works, A Mother’s Love
• Healthcare Ad – black and white — Pascha Brown — Riverfront, Pulled Hamstring
• Institutional Ad – Color — Steve Holifield — ACCs, It’s True
• Retail Ad – Color – Justin Clarkston — Moreton’s, Many Ways Say I Love You

As well as eight third-place wins:

• Magazine Ad – Grocery or Restaurant — Justin Clarkston— The Markets, Make it Merry
• Magazine Periodical — Staff — Natchez Magazine
• Grocrery or Restaurant Ad – black and white — Justin Clarkston — Corner Bar, You Don’t Know?
• Service Ad – black and white — Pascha Brown – Reeve’s, Your Time is Valuable
• Healthcare Ad – Black and white — Justin Clarkston — Borum Family Clinic,You Can Trust
• Healthcare  Ad – Color – Justin Clarkston — Field Health, Fight
• Retail Ad – Color — Pascha Brown — Katie’s Ladies, Spring Arrivals
• Retail Ad – black and white – Pascha Brown —RRUS, Meet Your New Best Friend