Feature
Best Play
From the tastiest scoops to the splashiest influencers, here are your winners of the 2024 readers’ choice awards!
best kids programs
Gymnastics USA
Top-notch coaching. A supportive community. Skilled athletes. Diverse programming. And a fun, family atmosphere. Excellence shines through every routine.
Runner-Up: Winter Garden Fencing Academy
best nonprofit event/charity
Southern Cross Service Dogs | Always Beside You Golf Tournament and Gala
What’s not to love about an event that supports veterans and service dogs while golfing and dancing?
Runner-Up: Matthew’s Hope | Garden Party
best local golf course
Bella Collina
This Nick Faldo-designed beauty boasts impressive views, dramatic elevation changes, and undulating greens, challenging golfers of every skill level.
Runner-Up: Stoneybrook West Golf Club
best live music venue
Pilars Martini & Loft
Known for its captivating live jazz lineup, community-focused events, unique cocktails, friendly staff, and unforgettable vibe, Pilars is the ultimate destination for music lovers.
Runner-Up: The Attic Door
best artsy experience
Pinspiration
Sip, splatter, or splash your way into creativity at this vibrant DIY studio! From crafts to workshops to private parties, this is the place to go for unleashing imagination.
Runner-Up: Board and Brush Creative Studio
best local festival/special event
Spring Fever in the Garden
This homage to all things spring and gardening brings even the most reclusive to downtown Winter Garden for workshops, inspiration, shopping, eating, live music, and more.
Runner-Up: Horizon West Fest
best place to watch a sunset
Newton Park
Expansive, unobstructed views of the horizon make Newton Park an ideal place to watch the sun dip below the skyline.
Runner-Up: Silverleaf Horizon West
best place to read a book
The Swings by the Fountain
Go ahead and grab a seat under the shade and linger all you like.
Runner-Up: Matthew’s Hope | Garden Party The Attic Door Writer’s Block Bookstore
best artsy experience
Pinspiration
Sip, splatter, or splash your way into creativity at this vibrant DIY studio! From crafts to workshops to private parties, this is the place to go for unleashing imagination.
Runner-Up: Board and Brush Creative Studio
best local festival/special event
Spring Fever in the Garden
This homage to all things spring and gardening brings even the most reclusive to downtown Winter Garden for workshops, inspiration, shopping, eating, live music, and more.
Runner-Up: Horizon West Fest
best place to read a book
The Swings by the Fountain
Go ahead and grab a seat under the shade and linger all you like.
Runner-Up: Writer’s Block Bookstore
best place to watch a sunset
Newton Park
Expansive, unobstructed views of the horizon make Newton Park an ideal place to watch the sun dip below the skyline.
Runner-Up: Silverleaf Horizon West
Your votes matter
Thank you for participating in our inaugural readers’ choice awards! Each of these honorees illustrate the truly diverse talent and excellence within our community. A few categories were decided by just one or two votes, so we mean it when we say that every vote counted!
We are especially grateful to anyone who contributed extra votes to help us raise $4,000 for two local charities.
Lift Disability Network
Disability has a far-reaching impact — not just on the individual, but also on the family that supports them. Due to their unique challenges and limitations, disability families are more likely to experience loneliness, poverty, and helplessness.
Lift Disability Network creates opportunities for these families to connect to one another, building new support systems and a welcoming community. Throughout the year, Lift provides camps, community events and family services that elevate life for families and individuals impacted by disability.
Funds Raised: $2,000To Support: liftdisability.net
Polka Dogz Pet Rescue
Polka Dogz specializes in second chances. Its mission is to rescue senior, disabled, neglected, and abandoned dogs, which are less likely to be adopted in ordinary shelters, and provide them with shelter, medical care, and love that they may have never gotten before.
Polka Dogz is 100% donor-supported and needs both funds and donations of daily-use items such as dog food, treats, toys, and cleaning supplies. Above all else, their goal is to find forever homes for their animals, but volunteers and foster home applicants are just as vital to their success.
Funds Raised: $2,000To Support: polkadogz.org
