Residents invited to pick their favorite businesses, tourist spots
Area businesses, service providers and even local landmarks and events will take the spotlight during the next month as the Logan County Visitors Bureau and the Bellefontaine Examiner join together for a Best of Logan County Contest that invites residents to cast their votes for their favorite establishments and traditions.
In today’s edition of the newspaper, readers can find a ballot with more than 60 different categories that they can clip and fill in their favorite selections. Participants are not required to fill in all of the categories, but can fill in as many that interest them.
These ballots can be dropped off or mailed to either the Examiner office, 127 E. Chillicothe Ave., (send by mail to: P.O. Box 40, Bellefontaine, OH, 43311), or the Logan County Chamber of Commerce office, 100 S. Main St., Bellefontaine, OH, 43311, by Oct. 31. The Examiner office also has a 24-hour drop box available.
To reach online readers as well, the Logan County Visitors Bureau and Bellefontaine Examiner’s websites each will have an online ballot that is available throughout this month, with the same Oct. 31 deadline, at www.logancountyohio.com and www.examiner.org.
Also for the online ballot, participants may provide answers for as many of the categories as they wish. Individuals should only vote once, either online or by paper ballot.
Haley LaBatt, Logan County Chamber Visitors Bureau director, said the bureau is excited for the contest, including the chance to provide businesses and destinations in the county a well-deserved opportunity to shine.
“The businesses here work hard year-round, and during this unusual year, we want to take this chance to highlight all of their diligent efforts to stay open and keep everyone safe.
“There also are so many tourist attractions here locally that people might not take advantage of and through the contest, we want to share some of the popular and fun spots to visit in the county. Staying a little closer to home at this time can provide a safe alternative for a little getaway.”
Bob Chapman, Examiner advertising director, said the newspaper has wanted to host this type of contest in recent years to promote the unique offerings in the area, and this fall seemed like the perfect time to proceed.
“All of the new local businesses that have recently opened made this feel like a good time to host the contest. The climate is right and we are looking forward to giving residents a chance to cast their votes and tell us their favorite places and businesses.”
Each of the winners for the individual categories will receive a certificate and will also be recognized in the Bellefontaine Examiner.
In addition, voters in the contest will be entered to win prizes from the chamber and the Examiner, including a free one-year newspaper subscription, $50 Chamber Choice gift certificates and Better Way to Save bundle.
Following the contest, LaBatt said the opportunity also exists for some of the winners to be highlighted on the state and national levels as well.
“We want to call attention to our best places and businesses in Logan County, and from those winners, we’ll have the chance to push that information out to Ohio Magazine, who also compiles a ‘Best of Ohio’ list.
“We believe that we have some of the best spots in Ohio right here in Logan County, and our local businesses and tourist spots deserve recognition, too.”
For the Best of Logan County Contest, individuals have the chance to vote on the following categories:
Bellefontaine Examiner categories — Assisted Living Facility; Auctioneer; Auto Repair Shop; Bank; Best Place to Work; Car Dealer; City Office; County Office; Crematory; Credit Union; Deli; Dental Office; Doctor’s Office; Financial Planner; Florist; Funeral Home; Furniture Store; Grocery Store; Health Care Provider; Home Improvement/Repair; Hospice; Information Technology; Insurance Company; Jewelry Store; Law Office; Lawyer; Non-Profit Organization; Optometrist; Pet Crematory; Pizza Shop; Real Estate Office; Realtor; Rehab Facility; Retirement Community; Shoe Shop; Tire Shop; and Water Company
Logan County Visitors Bureau categories — Airbnb/Cottage; Antiques; Art Fair; Attraction; Bike Trail; Breakfast; Campground; Casual Dinning; Coffee Shop; Community Parade; Event; Fireworks; Farm Market; Golf Course; Hiking Trail; Hotel; History Museum; Historic Landmark; Historic Property; Ice Cream; Independent Boutique; Kids Camp; Kids Store; Long Weekend Destination; Ohio-Made Candy; Outdoor Dinning/Patio; Place to get a beer; Place to see fall leaves; Retail Store; Restaurant; Salon; Spa; Summer Destination; and Winter Destination.