When the community is asked to name its favorites, the options come pouring in. Such was the case with the Washington Daily News’ Readers’ Choice awards in which voters were asked to submit their most-appreciated people, places and things that make their lives better, sometimes in small ways, every day.

“Participation in this years Readers’ Choice promotion was overwhelming,” said Ashley Vansant, publisher of the Washington Daily News. “The response from our readers is a testament to the excellence of our many local businesses and service providers.”

The promotion launched in late spring with a request to the public to nominate their favorites online or through ballots printed in the Daily News. The first round of Readers’ Choice voting began May 22 and ran through June 25, with participants voting in seven divisions including Favor- ite Services, Favorite Professionals, Favorite Food and Beverages, Transportation Favorites, Education Favorites, Shopping Favorites and Favorite Brags. Within those divisions, there were 140 different categories

“This is a really neat way to showcase our local business and at the same time give our readers a forum to share their favorites,” said David Singleton, the Daily News advertising director.

From the results of the nomination round, the field was narrowed down and voting began again on July 29. Voters were allowed a one-time vote in print, and a once-per-day vote online until Aug. 26, when voting closed and winners were tallied for Readers’ Choice Top Pick and Reader’s Choice Selections.

According to Singleton, over 3300 people participated in the voting pro- cess, a significant increase over the inaugural event in 2016. “The popularity of the contest has increased dra- matically since the contest first took root last year.”

One of those favorites was Carryout by Chrislyn. Owner and chef, Chrisly Wedderien, says, “Carryout by Chrislyn was blown away by the support of this community in voting our new foodery a Top Pick in Catering and Sandwiches. We opened less than a year ago and the response to our fresh , homemade meals has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Among the more active categories on the ballot, Boss Hog’s took the prize in the always heavily contested barbeque competition, Rachel K’s withstood a late rally from Micki’s Munchies for best overall bakery and local stalwarts Dairy Palace and Bill’s won for best hamburger and hot dog, respectively. In the services category, Chateau 107 won favorite beauty salon while Dr. Marcus Jones won a very competitive race for favorite dentist over in the Professionals category. Voters also had the opportunity to become win- ners: each round of voting came with a chance to win one of three gift cards worth $100, $50 and $25, a prize offer- ing sponsored by Sheetz.

Wrapping up this year’s Readers’ Choice contest, on Sept. 7, more than 200 people attended an Awards Open House, sponsored by Keyzer Catering at the Washington Daily News.

The full results of the 2017 Washington Daily News’ Readers’ Choice contests can be found by clicking HERE Presenting sponsor of the contest was ServPro of Bath.