E-EDITION RESULTS
IN-DEPTH ONLINE RESULTS RELEASED SHORTLY
Valley Sentinel is excited to announce our 2nd annual Best of the River Valley reader poll!
Again, drawing inspiration from cities like Eau Claire, Madison and Milwaukee, we’re excited to facilitate this reader poll that showcases your voice in sharing the best of what our area has to offer to our community and those who visit it.
As with last year, with winners announced in June, the Best of the River Valley is designed to maximize engagement with area businesses and attractions heading into the busy summer months.
This is especially important at a time where we are still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some events tentatively scheduled to come back for the first time in two years.
The Best of the River Valley is not only a complement to existing guides that help community and newcomers alike navigate our area, but also — especially in its second year — a time to share where you believe the area is headed, what the area needs to focus on, and also a place to brag about your business or your favorite Old Fashioned, with a healthy competitive spirit.
As voting opens in May, tools will be made available to businesses and those interested to share the poll and get out the word and drum up support for their favorites. But no funny business! Literally. Exchanging free or discounted goods and services for votes is prohibited.
The poll will focus on the goings-on of the past year, from June 2021 to May 2022. Nominations will generally be limited to 15 miles around our River Valley area, unless stated as regional. The poll will cover various categories from the staple business services, to outdoor adventures, to arts and culture. Winners will range from businesses to natural areas to artists and specific signature cocktails and burgers.
As always, details and much more are still being finalized and everything will be ironed out over the next couple weeks. We’ll need your help in the meantime, we want your thoughts and feedback, this is YOUR poll, YOU decide the winners.
If there are categories and questions you believe we should add, let us know and we will consider them for this year or next.
The Best of the River Valley is an extension of our passion to build community and, in its second year running, is one of many ideas that we hope will become a part of what makes our community so great.
We’re excited to again facilitate this big undertaking and see how it grows and changes year after year.
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WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Nominations
April 22 – May 3Share your favorite business or place or thing. Instructions on how are below.
Poll Open
May 5 – June 1This is your time to vote on the nominations and help decide who or what wins each poll question.
You may fill in “other” options in the poll, popular responses may get added to the poll.Winners Announced
June 20On this date winners will be announced in print, online to follow.
Rules/FAQ
1.) This poll encompasses June 2021 – May 2022, use those dates to make your choices. If an event was cancelled due to COVID that is annual event and likely to return, you may still vote for it or write it in.
2.) In general, unless stated as a regional question or it would otherwise be over-limiting, nominations are limited to a 10-15 mile radius of the Spring Green area. If regional or over-limited, feel free to nominate within Sauk, Richland and Iowa counties. Exceptions may be made where there are strong ties to the Valley.
3.) You do not need to fill out each category/question. Filling out the entire poll will take around 10 minutes. Feel free to fill in answers under “other” — popular answers may be added to the poll as options.
4.) YOU MUST BE A RESIDENT OF THE AREA OR HAVE STRONG TIES TO IT.
YOU MAY ONLY VOTE ONCE.
We will identify and eliminate fraudulent votes. Your vote will remain anonymous.
5.) More information and tools are available for businesses and those interested to share the poll and get out the word and drum up support for their favorites below. But no funny business! Literally. Exchanging free or discounted goods and services for votes is prohibited.
6.) Full details and rules will be on the poll. Have any questions? Want to report errors/issues? Want something added or removed? Email us at: editor@valleysentinelnews.com
Vote Here
2022 Logos/Flyers
Below is our media kit and business promotional materials. Almost everything you need to drum up support for votes, from social media posts to flyers to table tents and more.
Looking for more reach? ‘Best Of’ ads in Valley Sentinel are 50% off right now. Details below.
Social Media Posts
Flyer
Table Tent — NOT UPDATED TO 2022 YET
Want an ad encouraging your customers to vote?
‘Best Of’ ads are 50% off the regular rate for our standard ad sizes when ran May 19. See our regular advertising options here. Email for more information: ads@valleysentinelnews.com.
Awards/Results
Winners announced June 20. We’re working on certificates and/or trophies for businesses to be able to show off to the community. Printing and trophy suggestions/donations are welcome.
