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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: $2,000
To 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: $2,000
To Support: polkadogz.org

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