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In a year unlike any other in modern times, the annual Williamsport Sun-Gazette Readers' Choice Awards holds more value than ever before.
That's due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations facing businesses and patrons alike to prevent the spread of the virus.
This year, the Sun-Gazette is asking its loyal readers and the general public to give businesses, workers and service providers in our region needed recognition and support by nominating them.
The awards' nomination process is online and begins this Friday, Sept. 4, and runs through Friday, Sept. 25.
This special, annual contest -- which garners thousands upon thousands of entries -- allows readers of the newspaper and the general public to nominate their favorite businesses, businessperson or service provider.
"Our readers will be able to nominate their favorite business and service provider in each of our categories once per day during the nomination period," said Jordan S. McCloskey, the Sun-Gazette's retail advertising sales manager.
Described by McCloskey as an interpersonal and fun contest, the awards will feature 140 hopefuls placed in eight groupings as follows:
• Arts and Entertainment
• Automotive
• Beauty
• Food and Dining
• Health and Wellness
• Home and Garden
• Shopping
• Services
To nominate your favorites business or service provider, use your preferred web browser and go online to this address: bit.ly/sgreaderschoice20.
Readers may nominate their favorites one time each day through Sept. 25.
At the end of this period, the Sun-Gazette will select the top four nominees in each category, McCloskey said.
The top four nominees in each category then move onto the next phase.
That's when readers may cast their final votes once per day between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, he said.
"We will announce all of the 2020-2021 winners in a special section in your community newspaper in early December," McCloskey said.
"Be sure to click through every group so that you can vote in every category," added Bob Rolley, Sun-Gazette publisher.
One lucky participant will be randomly selected to receive a $100 gift card just for participating in the nomination process.
A second lucky participant will be randomly selected to receive a $100 gift card to one of the Readers' Choice winners (or $50 to two separate winners) for participating in the voting process, McCloskey said.
"It really is a fun way to view whether your favorites are matching up with others," he said.
"No doubt, Readers' Choice gives a real boost to participating businesses and earning nominations becomes a very strong marketing strategy because the audience reach is so huge," added Rolley. "We're grateful to work with so many wonderful businesses in our region."