Voting begins Thursday, June 1 for the 10th annual Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards. In the span of a decade, more than 1,000 winners have been crowned, and over $150,000 has been raised for local nonprofits. Earlier this week, we asked Key West Weekly owner and publisher Britt Myers to reflect on the past decade of this event. His answer was grounded in community pride and gratitude.
“When Jason (Koler) and I began this in 2013, we honestly had no idea the Bubbas would become such a recognized part of Key West culture, but we wanted to do something that celebrated the community, while helping local causes we support,” said Myers. “And here we are, 10 years later, and one of my favorite stages of the Bubbas is still the anticipation leading up to the voting and our winners’ gala.
“Last year our interactive voting map showed participation from six continents and over 44 countries. And our annual winners’ gala is one evening that brings together so many different people, from various walks of life, to laugh with one another and celebrate this community. This year, every dollar raised benefits Samuel’s House, which was the first organization we ever supported 10 years ago. So it’s fitting that our 10-year anniversary includes that amazing organization as we come full circle.”
As the nomination process begins this week at keysweekly.com, we want to remind our voters about the process and timelines. And either way, we remind everyone to have fun with the contest. After all, winners are subjective. But the experiences and bonds of a community are enduring.
Thanks for allowing us to play our small part here in Key West and we look forward to supporting Samuel’s House in 2023.
HOW THE BUBBAS WORK:
Nominate your favorites: June 1 (noon) — June 18 (midnight).
Log in to keysweekly.com starting at noon on Thursday, June 1 to nominate your favorites in each category. Voters can vote once per day in all categories, and must fill out 75% of the 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. We do not create the top three (a commonly asked question). You, the voters, decide the top three finalists from among your nominees, each and every year. Updates and reminders will be provided by the Keys Weekly in print, digital and social media throughout the Bubbas process.
Vote for the winning finalists: June 22 (noon) — July 9 (midnight).
The top 3 nominees in each category make the finalists’ ballot. Voters will choose from the top 3 nominees in each category to decide the winner of that category’s Bubba Award.
Voting for the finalists in each category begins at noon on June 22 at keysweekly.com and ends at midnight on July 9. During this stage, voters can submit one ballot per day and must fill out 75% of the categories to cast a valid ballot. Visit keysweekly.com often throughout the process and submit one ballot a day. Updates and reminders will be provided at keysweekly.com, in our daily e-blast, Key West Weekly print editions and social media.
The Final Event: July 22
The 10th annual Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards Gala takes place on July 22 and has evolved into one of the most anticipated events in town. Tickets are limited and generally are not made available to the public due to demand. Winners, nominees and dignitaries are invited and additional attendees are selected from a first-come, first-served waiting list. To be placed on this list please email Stephanie@keysweekly.com.
Huge thanks to our sponsors for the 2023 Bubbas: Key West People’s Choice Awards:
Niles Sales & Service, Catered Affairs of Key West, Horan Law, Key West Theater, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, First State Bank, Waste Management, Bascom Grooms Real Estate, Hemingway Home, Doc Guzman Family Dentistry and the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
