PAST TWO BEST OF UPPER KEYS YIELDED WINNERS, BIG DONATIONS & A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

By
Jim McCarthy
-
a group of people taking pictures with their cell phones
Winners show off their plaques following the inaugural Best of Upper Keys awards in 2022. DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly

If the past two years are any indication, the third Best of Upper Keys will see numerous nominations, thousands of votes and an unforgettable awards ceremony with 83 plaques presented to the winners.

In 2022, the team at the Keys Weekly Newspapers launched the premier people’s choice awards. With help from people and businesses within the community, the process and the highly-anticipated awards night went off without a hitch. Nominations from the public flowed in as many sought support on various platforms, leading to the finalist stage where many vied for bragging rights, a plaque and many other benefits associated with becoming a Best of Upper Keys winner. Not only that, tens of thousands of dollars were raised the first year for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.

Year two saw even more momentum as the 2023 Best of Upper Keys returned with more categories and more plaques up for grabs. And even more funds were raised last year for the shelter.

Both awards ceremonies saw a packed crowd at Whale Harbor Restaurants & Marina in Islamorada. This year, the awards ceremony will be held at Playa Largo Resort.

As the nominations continue daily through Sunday, Sept. 22, here are some of the highlights from the previous two Best of Upper Keys.

a group of people posing for a picture
Upper Keys Rotarians with the Best Event plaque, which went to the Gigantic Nautical Market.
a group of people standing next to each other
Square Grouper: Square Grouper Islamorada came away with three awards during the inaugural Best of Upper Keys in 2022.
a group of people sitting around a table
Henry Menendez and Julie Johnson: Henry Menendez, of HNO productions, and wife Julie Johnson, laugh at the skits during the inaugural Best of Upper Keys awards in 2022.

2022 SNAPSHOT

121,483
total votes cast.

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6,931
total people casting nominations and finalist votes.

7,056
miles between Japan, where a vote was cast, and Islamorada.

185
Guests who attended the inaugural Best of Upper Keys awards ceremony at Whale Harbor on Nov. 5, 2022.

$19,060
Funds raised from the inaugural Best of Upper Keys for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.

3
Square Grouper Islamorada won three awards, including Michael Roe for Best Bartender, Best Lunch and Best Overall Restaurant.

2023 SNAPSHOT

217,170
total votes cast.

7,562
total people casting nominations and finalist votes.

4,417
Distance between England, where a vote was cast, and Key Largo.

195
Guests who attended the second Best of Upper Keys awards ceremony at Whale Harbor on Nov. 11, 2023.

$26,350
Funds raised from the second annual Best of Upper Keys for the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter.

3
Square Grouper Islamorada and Dillon’s Pub & Grill came away with the most awards

Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.
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