More than 101,000 votes were cast from six continents, nominating potential Bubbas winners in dozens of categories.
Each year we get the same question, “Why did you not nominate my business for the Bubbas?”
The answer is simple — we didn’t nominate anyone for the Bubbas.
For the past several weeks over 10,000 different people cast over 100,000 votes to nominate the three finalists in each Bubbas category. In fact, votes were cast from every continent outside of Antarctica, including places like Johannesburg (South Africa), Ribeirão Preto (Brazil), Kailua (Hawaii), Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Budapest, Slovenia, Switzerland, Alaska and many more.
And beginning on Thursday, June 22, at noon voters can log into keysweekly.com/bubbas23 once a day to cast their votes in the 2023 Bubbas finals. Voting takes place from noon on June 22 through midnight on Sunday, July 9. Winners will be announced July 22 at the Key West Theater during the Bubbas Awards gala, which will certainly be one of the most coveted tickets in town.
For 10 years Key West has celebrated our very own in Key West. It’s a subjective process (and yes, “a popularity contest” as some love to say). With so many amazing restaurants, businesses, nonprofits, people and places to celebrate, we are the first to admit there is truly no way to determine who or what is best in Key West, but the Bubbas offer our island community and the millions who visit a chance to celebrate what they love most about the Southernmost City. In addition, the Bubbas have raised close to $200,000 for local nonprofits during that span, with all proceeds of the 2023 Bubbas being allocated to Samuel’s House — fittingly, the event’s very first beneficiary 19 years ago.
“I’m overwhelmed by the significant increase in the votes each year of the voting,” said Britt Myers, Key West Weekly publisher. “Key West is such a nostalgic destination for so many people because the places, cuisine and characters on our island offer a positive escape from the daily norms of Americana. Everyone has a favorite because everything in Key West is deserving. The purpose of our contest is to enhance every element of our island across the globe, while offering locals a brief moment each year to celebrate one another.”
This year, voters can vote in over 90 categories in the Bubbas finals. And with more and more nominations each year, there are plenty of newcomers in the mix, along with some familiar favorites throughout Key West and the Lower Keys. And there are no rules of engagement when it comes to self-promotion. After all, “the best” of anything lies within the eye of the beholder, so vote enthusiastically and often.
“I would like to remind everyone to take note of our sponsors,” said Myers. “These are the businesses and individuals who make the Bubbas happen year after year. Their generosity and philanthropic spirit encapsulates what is truly best about Key West. And I want to thank our community for embracing us for 20 years as your locally owned media source, along with a decade of Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards moments and memories.”
Visit keysweekly.com/bubbas23 to vote.
This year’s 2023 Bubbas sponsors include: First State Bank of the Florida Keys, Waste Management, Key West Theater, Catered Affairs, Hemingway Home, Niles Sales & Service, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Horan Law, Bascom Grooms Real Estate and Doc Guzman Family Dentistry.
