Following 13 days of online polling, the field of finalists is set for the fourth annual Best of Upper Keys. Voting officially begins at noon on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Nominations opened to the community on Sept. 18. With nominations closing Oct. 5, the top three — and in some instances four, due to ties or close tallies — now seek to grab bragging rights and a beautiful plaque.
Residents from the Keys and people throughout the world nominated their favorites in the food and drink, community and business divisions. Now, they’ll decide who wins in each of 87 categories. The winners will be announced Friday, Nov. 14 at Playa Largo Resort in Key Largo.
“Landing on the ballot is a big deal,” said Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler. “To be nominated as one of the best in your industry by your community is an accomplishment of its own.”
Finalist voting closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2. During this stage, members of the public can vote once per day. People must vote for 75% of the categories to cast a valid ballot.
Visit keysweekly.com/buk25 or check out the back page of this week’s paper to view the finalists and submit your votes for the best in town. Updates and reminders will be provided at keysweekly.com, in our daily e-blast, Upper Keys Weekly print editions and social media.
In the last two years, more than $60,000 raised from the Best of Upper Keys has supported the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter. With extensive programs to help and counsel children and families in a time of need, the shelter will again be the beneficiary of the Best of Upper Keys.
Tickets to attend the Best of Upper Keys awards ceremony aren’t generally made available to the public due to high demand. Winners, nominees and dignitaries are invited to attend and additional attendees are selected from a first-come, first-served waiting list. Email manuela@keysweekly.com to be placed on the waiting list.
Event sponsors include HNO Productions, Baptist Health, First Horizon Bank, Going Aire, Ocean Sotheby’s International Realty, Playa Largo Resort & Spa, H&R Block Key Largo and Overseas Media Group.
