As Mark Twain famously said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born, and the day you win a Best of Marathon Award.”
Earning one of the Middle Keys’ most famous plaques, or even being nominated, carries a plethora of benefits for those who reap the annual rewards. Fame, fortune, prestige in the dating world, maybe even an extra lobster or two during mini-season. (That’s clearly a joke – FWC, don’t kill us).
As we approach our 15th annual awards show, Keys Weekly is beyond honored to recognize the finest our islands have to offer, determined by YOU, our readers. Contrary to the annual rumor, the Weekly staff has nothing whatsoever to do with the nominations or winners – we just count the votes. That’s it.
And it’s all for a good cause – since 2008, we’ve named more than 1,000 winners while raising more than $140,000 for deserving local charities like the Marathon Rotary Club.
“Obviously when you are able to raise money for any of our local nonprofits, it always gives you a broader sense of community and reminds you of what’s important here at home,” Keys Weekly publisher Jason Koler said. “Outside of that, my favorite part of the Best of Marathon has always been the voting process and, of course, the awards party. Last year our interactive voting map showed participation from five continents and over 12 countries. Our annual winners’ gala is one evening that brings together so many different people, from all different walks of life, to laugh with each other and celebrate our community. It’s just one evening where we can put aside our differences and have some fun with our friends. Every dollar raised benefits the Rotary Club, which I believe provides enrichment to the lives of so many people in our community.”
Fire up those voting fingers – it’s Best of Marathon time again. Here we go!
HOW THE VOTING WORKS
Nominate Your Favorites: Aug. 1-18
Log in to Keysweekly.com starting on Thursday, Aug. 1 at noon until Aug. 18 at midnight 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 midnight on Sunday, Aug. 18, so make sure your voice is heard before then.
Vote for the finalists: Aug. 22-Sept. 8
The top three nominees in each category make the final ballot. The highest vote-getter among the three finalists in each category receives the Best of Marathon Award.
Voting for the finalists in each category begins at noon on Aug. 22 at keysweekly.com and ends Sept. 8 at midnight. 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: Sept. 21
The 15th annual Best of Marathon awards celebration, this year on Saturday, Sept. 21 at a venue to be announced, has become one of the most popular events in town. 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 patti@keysweekly.com.
Photos by DOUG FINGER/Keys Weekly
CALL FOR CATEGORIES!
As we do every year, the team at the Marathon Weekly will take a hard look at the ballot to fine-tune the categories that best represent our community. And we want to hear from YOU! Are there categories you think we’ve left out? A better way to phrase an award? Email alex@keysweekly.com and let us know.
