Two years ago, the Upper Keys’ premier people’s choice awards made its debut. This year, the Best of Upper Keys is back with even more categories for readers and the public to nominate and ultimately vote the winner.
Not only does the Best of Upper Keys bring bragging rights during an unforgettable awards night, but it also raises funds for a worthy cause.
The time has come to crown the best there is to offer in the upper island chain. The third annual Best of Upper Keys lets the people choose the nominees and the winners in the food and drink, community and business divisions. A total of 83 awards are up for grabs, with several new ones added this year, including Best Vegan/Vegetarian, Best Smoked Fish Dip, Best Salon/Spa and Best Place to Swim, among several others.
The Best of Upper Keys is similar to the Key West People’s Choice Awards in the Bubbas, which began in 2014, and the Best of Marathon, which started in 2008. Voters will have the chance to vote for all their favorite people, places, foods and things that encapsulate the Upper Keys. Whether it’s local celebrities, favorite neighborhoods or musicians, the people will name the very best in this year’s Best of Upper Keys.
The show cannot go one without the many sponsors who help make the Best of Upper Keys production possible. This year’s sponsors include Baptist Health Mariners Hospital, Going Aire, Dr. Michelle, audiologist, HNO Productions, First Horizon Bank, Playa Largo Resort and Hotwire Communications. Proceeds from the event will support the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.
“We are truly humbled and honored to bring this event back to our friends and neighbors in the Upper Keys for the third year in a row,” said Keys Weekly Publisher Jason Koler. “This is about bringing everyone together to celebrate those who have dedicated themselves to their professions and service.
“The voting is subjective and we want everyone to have fun with the nominations while putting a spotlight on those who exemplify excellence in business and dedication to the community.”
HOW THE VOTING WORKS
Nominate your favorites: Sept. 5-22
Log in to Keysweekly.com starting on Thursday, Sept, 5 at noon until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 to nominate your favorites in each category. Voters can vote once per day for all categories, and must fill out 75% of each ballot to cast a valid submission. So visit often, or daily, throughout the nomination process to propose your favorite finalists.
The top three nominees in each category are placed on the finalists’ ballot. Contrary to the annual rumor, we do not create the top three. You, the voters, decide the top three finalists from among your nominees, each and every year. Nominations will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 22, so make sure your voice is heard before then.
Vote for the finalists: Oct. 3-20
The top three nominees in each category make the final ballot. The highest vote-getter among the three finalists in each category receives the highly-coveted Best of Upper Keys plaque.
Voting for the finalists in each category begins at noon on Oct. 3 at keysweekly.com and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 20. During this stage, voters can submit one ballot per day and must fill out 75% of the categories to cast a valid ballot. So visit keysweekly.com often throughout the process and submit one ballot a day.
The awards: Friday, Nov. 1The third annual Best of Upper Keys awards celebration is Friday, Nov. 1 at Playa Largo Resort. Tickets are not generally made available to the public due to demand. Winners, nominees and dignitaries are invited to attend and additional attendees are selected from a first-come, first-served waiting list. To be placed on this list, please email jill@keysweekly.com.
