Voting is now closed – see which Findlay locations won Best of Ohio for 2020!
You may have heard, but Findlay was named one of the Best Hometowns of 2018-2019! While our reign is coming to an end, we know that so many Findlay locations are amazing and deserve the moniker “Best of Ohio”. Make sure to vote for your favorites before October 31!
There are 50 categories to choose from and you must fill out at least half for your ballot to be considered. When voting make sure to include the nominee’s name, followed by the city it is located in, for example, to vote for Dietsch’s, you would put “Dietsch Brothers Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream, Findlay”.
While choosing just one spot to represent our area may be tough, there are definitely plenty of Hancock County options for you to consider!
Recreation
Recreation is definitely not lacking in Findlay and Hancock County so filling out some of these categories should be easy! The Lions Way Bike and Pedestrian Pathway is a wonderful trail that winds in and out of the picturesque village of Bluffton. Have you visited our local state park? The Van Buren State Park is a great option for those looking to fish, hike, bike, or ride on horseback and is a favorite of many – including our Visit Findlay Blogger Julie! Those participating in the Hancock Park District’s Hike It Program will have plenty of opinions on best hiking trail in Hancock County while anyone who has taken advantage of Raccoon Run Winter Sports Center for cross country skiing or snow shoeing or Zonta Landing boat rental know they each deserve recognition in the categories for best winter destination and location to canoe and kayak, respectfully.
Is your favorite State Park in Van Buren – make sure to vote!
Attractions/Lodging and Fairs, Festivals & Parades
Last year Findlay and Hancock County was home to three When voting for the best college town there is an obvious choice – Findlay, of course! Findlay is also a great option for best Long Weekend Destination in Ohio, just check out all the things to do! Thousands upon thousands descend to Findlay for the upcoming Halloween Parade, make sure to cast your vote for it for best community parade. Oktoberfest has grown year after year into one of Ohio’s best fall festivals and Summer Sips, formerlly Riverside Wine Festival, has won the category of best Food and Drink festival in the past, will it be a repeat winner?
Do you love Oktoberfest? Then cast your vote for favorite Fall festival!
Food & Drink and Shopping
Speaking of repeat winners – there are two repeat winners in contention in the categories of Food & Drink and Shopping! Jeffrey’s Antique Gallery won best antique shopping for two years in a row, but was unsurped last year. Help them win back the vote this year! Dietsch Brothers Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream has won for both Best Ohio Made Candy and Best Ice Cream in the past, including best ice cream last year. As a member of both the Ohio Ice Cream Trail and the Buckeye Candy Trail we think it needs to be under serious consideration for a win in both categories this year. A new category this year is Ohio-Made Food, other than candy or ice cream – how can Shirley’s Popcorn not be the first thing that comes to mind!
Dietsch Brothers has been voted best ice cream and best Ohio-made candy in the past – will this be the year they take both categories?
The Hancock County Farmers’ Market has grown exponentially over the years, especially this year with its move to the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, is that enough to earn your vote for best Farmers’ Market? Findlay Brewing Company has been making waves for years with their craft beers, but with the opening of their bar and restaurant, we think this is the year for them to walk away with the Best Craft Brewery designation. And Gillig Winery is our only true winery in Findlay – with their unique wines, delicious food, and great events we think they are a great choice for Best Winery. You can’t go wrong with picking a restaurant from Findlay and Hancock County’s long list of casual dining, fine dining, or Outdoor Dining and Patio locations for those categories!
We love Findlay Brewing Company – and we bet you do too! Give them your vote for best craft brewery!
We already mentioned Jeffrey’s for the Antiques shopping category, and any of our shops would be a great choice for independent shops. The real no-brainer in this category is Best Main Street Shopping! With so many unique choices we know Downtown Findlay needs to be a top contender in this category.
Arts/Culture
Whether you’re seeking out performing arts, visual arts, museums, or special events, Findlay has it covered. ArtWalk was named the best ArtWalk in the state last year (an obvious choice), and we would love to see it recognized again this year. The Mazza Museum is arguably one of the most unique art museums in the state. As home to over 10,500 individual children’s book illustrations and interactive displays and events it should definitely be in the running for best Art Museum. The Children’s Museum of Findlay has grown every year since it opened and has grown into one of the best children’s museums in the state. With the energy and transportation annex, interactive government center, and new Ag Building and Davis Learning Center the Hancock Historical Museum should be in contention for Best Historical Museum. As far as music venue – the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts has to be on the short list!
The Mazza Museum is one of the most unique art museums in the state, is it the best? We think so!